Today, I was replaced in the symphony I play in. I play the clarinet, and a standard symphony only uses two, so getting into one can be quite competitive. My conductor's reasoning? "I was sure you were going to college." I never mentioned college to him, other than saying I wasn't going. FML
Ozomulsion tells us more.
Ozomulsion 11
Thanks for all the support... And the music puns. Definitely got a few laughs out of me! I figure I should give a little bit more in-depth explanation of what happened, considering the 300 character limit on an FML submission. I have been part of this symphony for 3 years and I was about to go into my forth season. It's a local community symphony, so I wasn't getting payed over it, but it was my only connection to a real symphony and the only one within at lest an hour and a half drive as far as a I know. Anyways, I had mentioned to my conductor that I WASN'T going off to college, and that I would "See you next season" earlier this May. Apparently he forgot and didn't bother to even contact me to double check and just replaced me. The woman who plays first chair informed him of his mistake and immediately contacted me over it, but apparently the replacement player is already committed to the entire one-year season and he cannot be removed, which I understand. I do not in the slightest believe my conductor purposely ousted me because we had no qualms and he apparently liked my playing; I think it was due to a genuine but rather foolish mistake. I'll still have plenty of playing opportunities as I am a professional jazz musician and I play out all around my state and neighboring states on a weekly basis with my band, and I'm likely about to create a classical trio for weddings, but I'm still going to miss it. This is the reason I didn't go in to college for music, because I was already playing out and making a living doing jazz and I figured I would be able to further my playing through actual in-field experience and learning as opposed to going away into a college.
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Top comments
False_Stupidity 42
Thanks for clearing that up, it still sucks but at least it wasn't your only source of income and you have other options.
peacheso 31
FHL for not being man enough to tell you the truth.
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Comments (66)
torbey 23
How annoying for you OP :-( That's why I always like to have important conversations stored for reference, such as emails/texts. Verbal communication can be very unreliable! Although you could hardly have known that he would replace you without even so much as confirming it with you first...
Enslaved 38
FYL indeed! You have my symphony.
buckdharma 38
Especially since his reasoning was falsetto.
BBeffedmylife 28
If only the conductor was a bit more sharp..
Enslaved 38
t'was a "Symphony of Destruction"
candyolympics 17
I think the conductor was falling flat.
MrBoredomioo 18
He's having treble looking forte reason to sack you
worldclassrager 41
This is just a bit messed up
someguyhere 12
Maybe he was hinting at you to go to college?
Khaleesi_26 30
But if you are good, im sure you will find another job :)
touch_the_sky_77 22
I'm sorry, I know what you mean... I got pushed out of my ensemble as a flute, and it's not an easy thing to accept
SayWeCanFly94 6
I play clarinet too c:
BBeffedmylife 28
My husband has his Master's in music and I am a clarinetist myself. We both feel for you OP! Very competitive field when it comes to working too. I really hope it all works out and you find another spot somewhere!
Ozomulsion 11
Thanks for all the support... And the music puns. Definitely got a few laughs out of me! I figure I should give a little bit more in-depth explanation of what happened, considering the 300 character limit on an FML submission. I have been part of this symphony for 3 years and I was about to go into my forth season. It's a local community symphony, so I wasn't getting payed over it, but it was my only connection to a real symphony and the only one within at lest an hour and a half drive as far as a I know. Anyways, I had mentioned to my conductor that I WASN'T going off to college, and that I would "See you next season" earlier this May. Apparently he forgot and didn't bother to even contact me to double check and just replaced me. The woman who plays first chair informed him of his mistake and immediately contacted me over it, but apparently the replacement player is already committed to the entire one-year season and he cannot be removed, which I understand. I do not in the slightest believe my conductor purposely ousted me because we had no qualms and he apparently liked my playing; I think it was due to a genuine but rather foolish mistake. I'll still have plenty of playing opportunities as I am a professional jazz musician and I play out all around my state and neighboring states on a weekly basis with my band, and I'm likely about to create a classical trio for weddings, but I'm still going to miss it. This is the reason I didn't go in to college for music, because I was already playing out and making a living doing jazz and I figured I would be able to further my playing through actual in-field experience and learning as opposed to going away into a college.
False_Stupidity 42
Thanks for clearing that up, it still sucks but at least it wasn't your only source of income and you have other options.
FYlife604 18
Um you know that college graduates tend to make much more than not going to post secondary
BBeffedmylife 28
Thanks for the follow up! When it comes to college it really depends on where you live. We are in NYC. You not only need to have schooling to back you up but you also need to know the right people. Good luck OP! I hope everything works out in the long run!
Ozomulsion 11
Oh yes, totally understand that. I had ambitions to go on to train in classical at Boston Conservatory, and I probably could have made it in, but I decided against it when the jazz band started to pick up steam. Maybe I'll go in a year or two, who knows. I wouldn't go to college for jazz because I play classic swing/gypsy/big band etc. and they don't really have any schools dedicated to that as far as I know, and honestly I feel as if jazz is more about self-discovery and not being instructed on how it should be played, but that's just me. Thanks for the good wishes, I appreciate it!
coopchick 8
jazz is big in my state. (Louisiana) Great music
PokemonLove993 17
First off I love the furry profile picture. Secondly I wish you the best of luck with the band since I do know the struggle (I want to be a full time costume designer ) and I see my friends struggling. he's in NY as well. He plays renaissance music and dresses up :) (David Anthony the creepy bard)
chinaski7628 32
35-- if your field doesn't require a degree, and you can get paid and get experience by working in your chosen field, it may not be necessary to go to college. It's good to have a back up plan, but not everyone has to, or wants to, go to college. It sounds like OP has a plan.
KazuTrumpet1512 21
I LOVE big band!!
teentee401 37
Glad that it all turned out okay for you, OP!
rocker_chick105 31
35- college isn't for everyone. It's pretty damn expensive and if want you want to do isn't really taught, or you already have a plan, it can help save you all of that money. I don't understand why society wants everyone to go to college when it isn't for everyone.
Hermmm 12
That still major-ly sucks!
duckie227 22
Everything happens for a reason. Sounds like it was destiny and you're on your way to bigger and better things!
ash_1020 6
Why does your post have so many dislikes??
redstone7693 29
that's good, man. good luck out there!
GeekGirl2000 13
That SUCKS. I'm a clarinet first chair, it's a competitive game. Even though I'm in highschool {agewise} I'm homeschooled so I play for my local symphony, and ohhh boyyy is it competitive! Sorry you lost out on your spot, but kudos to you for being such a good sport!
saxy1of6_fml 4
This is false
Mauskau 36
College/university really isn't for everyone. Some things you don't need qualifications for, you just need to be able to show you're good at it. How many famous musicians have a music degree? A lot of my friends have gone off to uni, and they're getting useless degrees without any idea as to what they actually want to do afterwards. I did an IT apprenticeship and I'm already earning more than uni grads doing the same job.
patrickalamo 48
Go to college!
FluffyJinn 3
this is genuinely good advice with minus thumbs up... how?