Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long have you been playing?

Most of the musicians in the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra started playing when they were very young. In order to develop the technique required to play in a major orchestra, usually a young person will have needed to seriously study music for 5-10 years or more, before they go to college, in order to consider a performing career.

How much does your instrument cost?

Instruments vary widely in price. The musicians in the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra have instruments which range from about $1000 to nearly $1,000,000.

How much do you practice every day?

For most musicians, how much we practice depends largely on what we have to play. If we are playing very strenuous music, often times we will practice less. Just as an athlete will take care not to strain themselves before an event, we do the same so we can avoid hurting ourselves.

OK, how much do you practice on average every week?

Because there is no time to actually learn the music at rehearsals, most of the musicians in the orchestra devote double the amount of time we are actually at work to practicing and preparing the music for the week. This amounts to about 35 to 40 hours a week depending on how comfortable we are with the repertoire.

What do you mean, there is no time to learn music at rehearsal?

We spend most of our rehearsal time adjusting the balances, fine tuning small details, and getting used to actually playing through the music. All of the musicians already know how the music goes and can play it before rehearsal ever begins.

How come musicians aren't smiling at the end of a concert sometimes?

It depends on the concert. Sometimes playing certain music can be very tiring, or sometimes the music doesn't make us want to smile. Even if the musicians don't happen to smile at the end, that doesn't mean that we aren't happy that you're there!

What does the conductor do? Do you really need one?

Generally, conductors are there to make sure everyone stays together, and that the orchestra has a unified approach to the music. Large orchestras usually have a conductor to facilitate rehearsals and provide artistic direction to the orchestra.

Doesn't most of the orchestra earn more than the base salary?

The base salary is the amount a full time musician is guaranteed to earn by playing the entire season with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. Some musicians are paid more for additional responsibilities, or because the orchestra management thought it was appropriate to pay them more. Full time musicians who have played in the orchestra for 5 years are paid $24.23 per year of service, up to a maximum of $726.90 for the year. For a full-time musician who has worked for 30 years or more, that amounts to about $18.64 per week.

What do you do for fun on Saturday night?

Usually we are playing a concert. We get one day off every week (Tuesday), and many of us spend a large portion of it teaching or catching up on the things we haven't had time for during the week. When we do get a chance to have fun, we like doing the same things everyone else does!

Do you have a question about the musicians? Click here to ask!

 

Home, Who We Are, History, Current Issues, Hello Neighbor, Teacher Listing, Hear Us Play,

Musicians, FAQ, Critics Corner, Press Room, Musician Resources