nature vs. nurture

[Jperry1466]

... I still think of my eventual retirement as being unemployed, or just not working anymore. And no work means no money. I'm a good 30 years away from that kind of work stoppage pressure, but some of the happiest old people I know are the ones who are still working, or at the least, regularly volunteering.

Don't count on not working anymore. You may have heard retirees say they are busier than ever, and it is true. After 33 years of teaching, I was able to retire 15 years ago because I had a side income - repairing computers, networks, etc. I still loved my job, my kids, and teaching band, but the politics and decline of education, especially emphasis on THE TEST, which dumbed down our kids, plus the sheer stupidity of some of the "staff development" meetings, helped me decide. The very next year and, I was asked to do a long term sub in place of a band director who walked off the job. I said no until they made me a $$ offer I couldn't refuse, and I actually enjoyed it - no teacher meetings, half a day of classes, and they treated me with kid gloves lest I walk away, myself. Later, there were 4 other subs for directors who had to have some serious surgeries. The computer repair business has fallen way off because of phones and tablets, but I do a lot of judging at band festivals, and live on a small working cattle ranch. Last year I went to work for a music company, delivering instruments and repairs, and found that I very much enjoy working with and mentoring young teachers. I'm about to give up a small teaching job that takes only one day a week but ties me down too much. Add church activities, community band, and my tuba-euphonium ensemble to the mix, and my calendar is pretty full. The reason this is so enjoyable is that I can set my own schedule, but I'm so busy that I'm not sure how I had time to teach. In 15 years, I've never had to look for work; it always comes looking for me, and at 70, yes, I guess I'm an "old people".

Jim "the problem with retirement is you never get a day off" Perry

[Jperry1466]

My Dad never got particularly good at reading complicated musical figures, but he could listen to them and copy them, which is why he was usually second or third (never first chair) 1st clarinet in his high school band in Pittsburg, Kansas (this was back during the JJ Richards era).
My Mom liked music, did not have a “solo“ type of voice, sang in the chorus in some musical productions in high school...

My parents were both country people. Mom had a beautiful singing voice but only used it in church. Dad was an engineer; his world was math - all black and white, and music was just a hobby for some people. His own mother was a talented pianist and singer, and she first nurtured my love for music, along with an elementary music teacher (who by the way, taught for 65 years - twice as long as I did). Two men, my band director and our church music/youth minister invested extra time in me. I had some talent but a whole lot of "want to". After having successes in high school when I found my home on the tuba, I wanted very badly to be able to run with the "big boys", thus the studies with David Kuehn and Rex Conner. So in my case it was definitely nurture, but from outside sources.

Three weeks before I graduated from college, my dad asked me if I really thought I could make a living teaching music, and wouldn't I rather be a math teacher?

[djwpe]

My understanding is that what's-his-name was fired from the NYP because of harassing someone. That was the word in the horn world. Perhaps "requested to retire" but nonetheless......

I once said that I'd be happy to do his laundry if I would get to listen to him practice. Perhaps best that did not come about.....

That is correct from my sources. I should have said “retired”.

[bloke]

Some of the people - who I have personally admired the most - have been people who were/are top level performers, but he got tired of being paid about $20 an hour (when including all the practicing they did) and went on to two other professions which are more respectful in the remuneration dept.

They didn’t make a mistake of either viewing their playing as “a special gift or calling”, and nor did they fall into the “lifetime all-state band” mentality – whereby if they stepped down from their position, they would no longer be “special“ - losing their (as some seem to view it - as if star players on some major league team) “celebrity” status.

The first one who comes to mind is a remarkable trumpet player - who I observed studying law books for years, during tacet movements. Now, they are not just paid for appearing in court or at closings (obvious comparison: on stage), but for “billable hours“ as well. How nice it would be were professional musicians paid to practice - receiving $60-$120 an hour for all of their work, and not just their in-person work.

[cjk]

most stuff is 2% talent, 98% work.

[Doc]

most stuff is 2% talent, 98% work.

But, but, but.. I want an easy button! I want it! I want it!

Oh, wait... here's one:

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