Orchestra Pits

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

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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!

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

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

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

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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

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

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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?

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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?

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

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

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

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

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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....

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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

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