It’s a widely known fact – musicians are a little “different.” Actually most of us are bloody nuts, and that has consequences for both orchestras and musician’s families. So what’s going to happen when an orchestra actually does something about it?
I’ve said for years that the best move any orchestra could ever make is to hire a staff psychiatrist. Considering the nature of musicians in orchestras this would seem something of a no-brainer (so to speak). So when at the start of this morning’s rehearsal I heard the following: “Please stick around during the break to meet our new staff Psychologist” my ears perked up.
When break came one of the staff introduced one Dr. Chris Wuerscher. He is a member of the chorus here in Calgary and has been involved with the orchestra for many years. But he is taking on a new role with the organization as Staff Psychologist. Chris has offered his services to the orchestra gratis because he thought it would be the best way to serve the organization. What struck me from his little introductory talk was that he is deeply interested in music, and he went out of his way to emphasize that he would love to talk to members of the orchestra about the role of music in their lives and in the greater society.
Frankly I think this is an inspired move by Chris and the CPO. Playing in an orchestra offers some very strange and intense situations for people. There is dealing with one’s colleagues, the conductor, the staff, and of course the stress of playing in front of how ever many people on a regular basis. Given our particular neuroses it is no wonder that this can frequently have a deleterious effect on our personal relationships, both at work and at home. It is a shame, because we actually have one of the best jobs in the world. Hell, people pay us to make music. That certainly beats working for a living.
I heard via the grapevine that Chris has already helped a couple people affiliated with the CPO. I hope that anyone who is feeling the stress of this particular job takes him up on his offer. I also hope that other orchestras will follow the CPO’s lead. It can only have a positive effect on the industry at large.
On a personal note, I would be willing to suggest a few members of some orchestras I’ve had dealings with who might benefit from a little couch time. The list would be legion………
I don’t even know where to begin…perhaps a call to my own therapist?
The problem is this: symphony musicians, after being highly educated and trained to be creative, then find themselves in an incredibly controlled and restricted workplace environment. Of course we’re all crazy! We can’t even go to the bathroom when we want to!
The other problem that contributes to our insanity (related to the control of the workplace) is that there is no good communication happening, in any respect, in the workplace. Most importantly I refer to communication between management and musicians. In my orchestra this is nonexistent. So naturally this also leads to labor strife in the organization. I could go on, but instead I’m going to (literally) write a thesis on it!!!
I just read that Maestro Eddins told my local newspaper, “The Charlotte Observer,” that he doesn’t like raising money and that the local money elite–bankers–are notoriously stingy. Good luck getting outgoing Maestro Perick’s job with that kind of attitude! You need to be more circumspect with your remarks if you want to get hired in Charlotte. If you don’t want to help a little with fund-raising, I strongly doubt if the Charlotte Symphony will hire you. Also, if you hate Beethoven’s 9th and Mahler, you have even less of a chance (and what’s wrong with Mahler?!] And please do more research on the music culture. The Charlotte Symphony is in dire need of a world-class conductor who can work with the Music Director and the wealthier patrons (many of whom are bank executives) to bring in funds and offer a creative season. The musicians are pretty good, for the most part, but sorely underpaid. The orchestra needs a better horn section and a beefed up violin section, too. As someone who grew up listening to live performances of the Chicago Symphony under Sir Georg Solti, I’m particular about quality in an orchestra and would like to see Charlotte rival Atlanta or Dallas. The powers-that-be are very sensitive to people who come across as too full of themselves, even if they are very talented, musically or otherwise. If you want the job, exercise more humility and less hubris.