How do I become a pit orchestra musician?

[iholland95]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 4:24pm

Hey. I was wondering if anyone knows how to become a broadway pit orchestra musician. I play flute and am about to go into my freshman year of college. My dream has always been to play in a professional pit orchestra. I have seen many musicals and always watched the pit and thought "wow! they look like they're having a blast. I want to do that someday". If anyone can give me their imput on their experiences or thoughts, I'd love to hear them! Thanks!

[morosco]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 4:28pm

It's a Long Trip to the Orchestra Pit

[morosco]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 4:29pm

How I Became a Broadway Musician

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 5:53pm

practice, practice, practice

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 6:06pm

Since you are a wind player I would suggest you use your time in college to start learning and mastering several other instruments, such as oboe, clarinet, and saxophone. Because of the downsizing of most orchestras wind players especially are expected to be able to play multiple parts, far more doubling than you'll see in the brass and string sections.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 8/15/14 at 6:11pm

Most of the working musicians that I know were on the road for quite a few years with various shows on tour and then eventually made the commitment to try to break into a pit on Broadway then. When my daughter came back in NY after a number of years on tour, many NYC less than stellar gigs in clubs, off (off) Broadway, showcases, Fringe shows, etc were taken...for little or no pay. But that's how contacts were made..and eventually, people started asking for her. She started subbing first...and then one of her contacts asked for her for his new show with her own chair.

The most important thing she has said over the years is that during this time, you need to be as professional and as serious about the jobs as you can be. I remember when she was asked to sub at one particularly difficult show for the first time, she locked herself in her apartment for close to a week until she mastered what she had to play. You want to make sure that if you get asked to do something, you get asked back.

There is a advantage certainly when you have your own chair but when you are between shows, subbing not only pays the bills but allows you to connect with many more people than you would if you were working steadily in one place. Also some of the people she worked with on tour who are now working steadily in NY are some of her best connections to work here to this day.

Good luck.