Comments on: Orchestras, Oboes and Orgies

By: hw

hw — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:13:15 +0000

9/5/2011
I nutured concert music and the love for the oboe in my son quite early in his life. He could be considered perfect for music. He understand the nuances of the genre something I can’t even comprehend. He plays the oboe with a magic touch.
In spite of his talent he cannot find a job to make a living at his craft. Why? Because here in the U.S. concert music is not fostered by most Americans, and when they do get it, it is too late.
Western music or as some call it “Dead white Europeans” is something that must be maintained, yet sadly, very little government funding is funneled into it. Too many orchestras are declaing bankruptcy and when music and art disappear, so is the society.
Tindall’s book, aside from the sensationalized sex and drug scene is a wake up call to all those who want to become professional classical trained musicians. Prepared to live a live of poverty!

By: BB Baron

BB Baron — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:40:18 +0000

I really enjoyed reading this book and I salute you for your honesty and frankness. If some people cannot handle it, it’s their problem. I think it was very courageous and daring.

By: bettiola

bettiola — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 07:48:37 +0000

I think it’s too bad if people reading this book are led to believe that Blair’s experiences are typical of the classical music world. Speaking as a classical musician myself, the classical music world I know is not sex- and drug-crazy.

By: Timothy Grant

Timothy Grant — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:24:01 +0000

NYC Oboist! Are you one of the oboists mentioned in Blair’s book? If so, which one please? Don’t hide behind your anonymous moniker!

By: Samuel Sukaton

Samuel Sukaton — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 06:58:36 +0000

As a musician and college student, I feel that Ms. Tindall’s treatment of the career prospects of conservatory trained musicians was evenhanded and very effective.

There are certain books talking about the distance between (blank) and the general public–Alister McGrath decries academic theology in his book The Future of Christianity, and let’s not even get into all the accusations aimed at colleges and universities across the nation.

However, music is something that actually DOES affect all of us, so misconceptions about the way that musicians live and work need to be cleared up.

I read Mozart in the Jungle my senior year of high school. While I agree with NYC Oboist that her work may have hurt people back in New York, I was more concerned with the underlying message presented in the statistics:

The disconnect between the professional music scene and the American public damages both.

While Tindall’s introduction to this world hits a lot of unnecessary nerves, it brings up an important issue that music educators and music professionals would to well to start talking about.

I wonder if the AFM had/has any reactions to the book?

By: To Bell relative

To Bell relative — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:59:51 +0000

To Bell Relative:

Very interesting that you claim to be a relative of Josh Bell, and that you defame him to not be a graduate of IU. Because he IS a graduate, and says on his own web site “In 1989, Bell received an Artist Diploma in Violin Performance from Indiana University.” He is a graduate of Indiana University. Perhaps he also received an honorary degree, but an artist diploma is an earned credential. He is celebrated in Tindall’s book, perhaps you might try actually reading her tribute to him??

By: anonymous

anonymous — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:12:09 +0000

Scientists– the biochemists and molecular biologists you mention are dealing with the same struggles you detail in your book. The “post-doctoral” position people move into after finishing the Ph.D. is an effective pipeline that keeps people in low-paying positions– dealing with financial and health insecurities. Take to the postdoc of 35 years who has no home, no savings, and works 60-80 h/ week– hoping to break in.

By: NYC Oboist

NYC Oboist — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:11:41 +0000

Blair’s account is an inflated version of reality. She sensationalized everything to make a buck. The cartoon cover of her book is about as close to a real photograph as her story is to the truth. She exaggerated and capitalized on the stories of people who did not deserve to see their tragedies in print. Some of the stories she told were none of her business and any decent human would have felt compassion instead of the desire to exploit. She hurt people and smiled about it all the way to the bank. I am sure she doesn’t realize that not only did she hurt the people whose lives she exposed, but she hurt their children too. Unforgivable.

Those of us that were her friends feel sorry for her that this is all she got out of our precious art form. We are musicians because God gave us a talent and He also gave us the intense desire to express ourselves musically. Our lives are fulfilled by playing the music we love. Sometimes we struggle financially and emotionally because of our choice to follow our art, but we would never seek to hurt anyone with our music. I hope Blair can be happy now in Hollywood with her new celebrity husband. (She finally found someone who would have her!) I hope she will not ever return to New York or the world of classical music. She hurt innocent people to earn her living. If she had ever really had the joy of music in her soul she would not have been able to do this to her friends.

By: a Bell relative

a Bell relative — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:11:09 +0000

Josh did not graduate from IU. He received an honorary degree from IU