Posted by Sean Chisham on September 05, 2003 at 22:25:39:
In Reply to: Going Pro??? posted by Steve-O on September 05, 2003 at 22:12:19:
The difference between a student and a "pro" is 1 audition. Unfortunatelly there are hundreds of other students and "pros" trying to win the same auditions you are. So you must be a better musician than everyone else in the country/world who decides to show up that day for the same audition you showed up for.
The other way is to create your own work by such things as teaching, forming profitable small ensembles like quintets, and networking for gigs in a largish city.
Either way is challenging and, for most, eventually leads down nonmusical paths. Be versatile and willing to support yourself some other way after school. If you are not having some reasonable national level successes while an undergrad in school, then start to look into alternative employment opportunities when school and degrees finaly begin to reach an end.
At auditions the person who played best that day is generally offered the job and dozens others are sent home. You really do need to be the best musician in the country on that given day in order to be successful.