Baltimore Symphony summer camp has amateurs join the band

[Brian]

From the New York Times:

I was one of 104 amateur musicians who had signed up for the Baltimore Symphony's BSO Academy, a unique weeklong program to give amateurs an education in orchestral life. It was also a good way for the orchestra, at a minimum of $1,750 a head, to bring in desperately needed revenue and bond with the public.

The week, late last month, included lectures on musicianship, the science of hearing, practice methods, how to blend and performance anxiety. But mostly we played: in chamber music rehearsals, private lessons, group classes, coaching sessions and run-throughs with Ms. Alsop on the bright Meyerhoff stage.

We sat next to the Baltimore players, drank beer with them and sipped from their decades of musical wisdom. We experienced the obsessive nature of orchestra musicians and felt their physical pain, self-doubt and, once in a while, supreme confidence.

The academy was a kind of fantasy camp, better known to rock and baseball fans. But unlike air-guitarists or flabby softball players, we faced a high level of intensity from the start. The music was difficult, even for the pros many of us hoped to keep up with. Virtually all of us were there to improve our technique and musicality, not merely soak up star power.

For their part the players in the orchestra, who are living through a demoralizing period of pay cuts, defections, unfilled positions and a feeling they are unappreciated, had complicated reactions. The experience brought a whiff of resignation from professionals who had devoted their lives to working toward artistic excellence yet had to compromise their game, all the while smiling at high-paying guests.

"It's not about perfection," Ms. Alsop said in an interview, repeating her message to the musicians. "It's very hard for professional musicians to let that go. Me too. This is about being in the moment."

Yet many players also felt satisfaction in teaching dedicated music lovers and elation at the awe in which many held them. It was a reminder of why they play. Somebody cares. They matter.

The full article is much longer and a fun read.