Orchestra Pits

[Glinda's Candy]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 1:44am

Hi. Can anyone give any information on what it is like to play in the pits for a musical? I am hopefully going to start playing in the pit for a London musical in a few weeks time (The Woman in White), and have no idea what to expect... Has anyone done this before, or can anyone recommend a website with helpful info? I want to find out about pay, hours, music standards, routine etc.
Any help will be really really appreciated!
Love to y'all
X

[rclocalz]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 1:49am

Hey that's awesome! I'm just an actor, so I'm not much help. Good luck with that.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 1:50am

I'm no help either but wanna say CONGRATS! yay for jobs in London! ahha...I'll be there jan-may of next year and plan on seeing Woman in White so maybe you'll still be there!

[Glinda's Candy]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 1:53am

Awww, thanks, you guys!
X

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 1:56am

It's a shame we can't actually help you....does ANYONE KNOW!??!

I'm sure you'll have fun! :)

[Aigoo]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 1:58am

Well, I'm not really sure professionally, but it's not horrible. Just be sure to be alert. Don't lose yourself while watching the play. I really can't give you much information, but be alert and learn from your mistakes (but hoping you won't make any!)

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 1:59am

YAY for you! How did you get a job like that! I'm SO happy for you!

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 2:03am

I think playing in pits can be a lot of fun. Especially if the show is really good. Yeah, I guess make sure to know the music cold and keep an eye on the conductor at all times for tempo, cues, etc. Usually, the pit is called a half an hour before the show, no earlier. The pit's also called for some rehearsals, I'm sure, but if it's already a running show, I don't know how that works. I don't know what the pay's like either. But yeah, I love playing in pits. Make it fun for yourself and make beautiful music!

~Steven

[brandonm]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 9:43am

My mom's been playing in the pits for like 20 years for different shows.....but, i dont know what it's like....sorry! If it's anything like band, I'm sure its fun

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 10:28am

Glinda's Candy, that is awesome!!! I know the conductor of The Woman in White, so I'll try to find out for you. Have you gone for audition? If yes, I'll find out what he thinks...
That is so cool we have that connection!!! I don't think he's staying beyond July though.

Mary P x

[rclocalz]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 12:27pm

Practically Perfect, are you Mary Poppins? That's Awesome!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 12:30pm

Contact the local union.

And congrats!

[hypertruffle]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 12:49pm

First off, CONGRATS x15. I always wanted to play in the Broadway/West End pit orchestras. I only had experiences with community and high school theater.

I guess the only advice I can give is be alert, and try not to be distracted with the show. Regardless how awesome the show would be, it would definately screw up the performer if you miss a cue.

On a side note, what instrument do you play?

[James885]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 1:46pm

Congratulations!! I played clarinet in the orchestra for my college's spring musical last month and the best advice I can give to you is just to watch the conductor at all times. During one of our performances, the actress singing suddenly sped up during one song, and we had to adjust to match her.

Just keep alert and have fun! Playing in the pit was great experience for me, and I'm sure it'll a great one for you.

[mint0621]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 5:44pm

If you're lucky to be a violinist or cello player (well, it depends on the layout of course, but violins are usually in front near the conductor), enjoy the show from the view, whereas clarinets (what I play) are usually stuck under the stage, so even during large breaks (53 bars of rest, or breaks like that), it sucks...nothing to watch except for the conductor.

I see people in Broadway orchestra pits with Time Out NY magazines and other accoutrements. pretty funny. The DRS orchestra pit had a headshot of Norbert Leo Butz on the back of the pit near the drumset as well. I wonder why it's there?

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 5:49pm

This is a little strange...how do you not know about stuff like that? How did you get the job? Cause in my experience, 9 times out of 10, you jsut know the MD or the conductor from other gigs/shows...

[trpguyy]

Posted: 5/22/05 at 7:21pm

I'm wondering the same thing. It's impossible to get pro pit jobs unless you know people and have proven yourself. At least for brass players and percussionists.

Anyway, you won't see the show. Don't try. You'll be sick of hearing it after a few times anyway. Get a series of good books, and know how long you have between playing. Block out everything when you're not playing, and have fun when you are!

EDIT: After re-reading the original post, I see that you don't have the job already. Anyway, the way it is in NY is that you get paid around $200 a service (this was a while ago, probably more now). You're required to play at least 60% of the shows per week, uless on vacation. So for you math wizards, you only have to play 5 of the 8 shows a week. You are responsible for getting your own sub, and you pay him whatever the two of you agree on. SO, you could pay him $150 for the service, and you still get $50 to not play.

Not a bad gig.
Updated On: 5/22/05 at 07:21 PM

[Glinda's Candy]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 4:25am

Cool, guys thanks for your help! As it stands, I know the MD of The Woman in White (Stephen Brooker) through a good friend and have managed to get the job playing keyboard - starts in a few weeks, but a date hasn't been arranged as there is already someone there, due to finish soon...
And Mary(...), hi, how are ya? how's it going? saw it a few weeks back - amazing!
Love to you all!
X
PS, if what trpguyy says is correct and I do need someone to fill in for me, is anyone about in the London area who could play?

[Norbert Leo's Butt]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 5:50am

Practically P. Are you Laura Michelle? Wow. What I wanna know is what is Bert like as a person in real life. Is he as flirty off stage with you as he is on?!
Butt

Updated On: 5/23/05 at 05:50 AM

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 5:58am

I hate to disappoint y'all, but I'm not Laura Michelle Kelly. But she, and her co-star Gavin Lee, are both lovely people, and give sensational performances every night in the show.

Lots of love,

Mary P x

[Glinda's Candy]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 9:24am

Yeah, has anyone else noticed that Bert and Mary are very flirty on stage? I reckon they got something going...
X

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 10:13am

That would be a scandal - she's married! I think they're just really great friends, who love performing with one another...

Mary P x

[Norbert Leo's Butt]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 10:45am

It's the 'oh Bert's that get me. Having seen the show 14 times, it's definitely there. i saw her understudy, poppy tierney and there was not that chemistry that there is with laura. a friend of mine works in the box office and says they share a dressing room due to lack of backstage space....

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 5/23/05 at 11:50am

Glinda's Candy, maybe you should be playing in the orchestra pit of Mary Poppins to see if there is any truth in these rumours...

Mary P x

[Glinda's Candy]

Posted: 5/25/05 at 1:37am

well, Mary, i tried, but they said that you can only play in the orchestra for Mary P if you are over 65 and smell of cardigans...
X