Orchestra Pit

[suddenlyseymour]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:37pm

ok how difficult is it to get a job playing in the pit and about how much do you make? thanks

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:38pm

If you're talking about Broadway - I believe you have to be in the union. My ex-roomate played in the pit of Miss Saigon for the entire run on Broadway (how, I'll never know)...with occasional breaks to do something else. It bought him his apartment.

[Plum]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:41pm

You usually get pit jobs through who you know. Try finding the musicians' union website for salaries.

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:41pm

My friend Charlie has played a few times for Ave Q and a think a few other shows...i can ask him how he did it--though I'm sure it's someone he knows...isn't it always?

[Plum]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:44pm

Here's the union website. Just go to the "contract info" link on the right for base salaries.
Local 802

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:46pm

Yeah, you always have to know someone, and then you start subbing. The musician's union doesnt allow for auditions.

What a life!

[suddenlyseymour]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:51pm

thanks for the site plum

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:51pm

Yaay for pit orchestras!! They're so talented and underappreciated and crowded and I love pit.

(Sorry this has nothing to do w/ the question but saw the title and couldn't help but show it some love)

[Plum]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 4:51pm

And to think being a pit musician used to be my dream job. :)

[kooky]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 5:10pm

It's all about who you know, and union of course. The guys practically
go from show to show - - - - have a musician in my life. Very political!

[Jon]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 5:12pm

In the Playbill for every Broadway musical, you'll see a credit for "Music Contractor". For years, most shows have used the same person - a guy named Seymour Red Press. He is responsible for hiring the original group of pit players and finding permanent replacements. If a musician has to miss shows for illness, vacation, or another shoprt gig, they sometimes find their own substitute - of course, the replacement must be in the union, and the regular player has to vouch for the fact that they'll be able to play the score withouf screwing up!

[suddenlyseymour]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 5:26pm

ok so maybe i won't be a pit musician.....

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 5:42pm

Maybe try getting a tour job--that can often lead to better connections AND many of those jobs are listed in playbill.com, backstage, et al. and are a little easier to break into

[TG4802]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 6:00pm

TouchMe--

The union doesn't dictate whether or not a musician auditions, it merely guarantees that the musician is adequately compensated for the time and effort.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 6:02pm

How difficult is it to join the union? I know in Chicago it's relatively easy (I think Equity is probably the most difficult arts union to get into). I think you just sign up. And I know in Chicago the majority of musicians in the pit must be local. But what is it in New York?

[TG4802]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 6:19pm

If you are an aspiring or professional musician living in the greater New York area and making a living or a significant portion of your income as a musician then you may want to consider becoming a member. Please understand that with membership comes responsibilities and the belief that the arts play a vital role in society, the arts deserve adequate funding and advocacy for live music is a priority.

[Liz_Bennet]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:02pm

I know a cellist who played in Broadway pits for a while. You have to be very trained to get a job in a pit, most likely a conservatory graduate, and it isn't a very challenging experience for someone who is high up enough in the performing world to get the job (shades of Groucho Marx*). It's the same thing every night, always exactly the same. He called it the most miserable work he's every done. But it's hard to find any professional performing work, so yous takes what yous can gets.

*"I wouldn't want to join any club that would have me for a member."