I’m a New York musician. I have two fulltime jobs
OrchestrasFrom a Barrons interview with Weston Sprott, dean and director of the Preparatory Division at the Juilliard School, and trombonist in the Metropolitan Opera orchestra.
I balance full-time teaching at Juilliard and full-time performing with the Met Opera Orchestra by…
The concept of “balance” went out the window a long time ago for me, but I find joy and fulfillment in all my work. I’m surrounded by wonderful people who are talented and industrious. It’s not lost on me that spending my day trekking back and forth between Juilliard and the Met is a unique privilege.
My pre-performance ritual… ranges. Sometimes I’m coming from Juilliard, sometimes the gym, sometimes dinner. Two things are consistent: I have a very regimented warm-up and fundamental routines that I expand or compress depending on the intensity of the upcoming performance.
Also, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra has one of the longest running poker games in America. We play at every intermission. It’s a great way to connect with colleagues, and it brings levity to our workplace.
Weston is co-founder of the Black Orchestral Network.
Have you ever heard of a portfolio career or the gig economy? Stop bleating about your already entitled existence, get on with your life and leave us to ours. Thank you.
Bleating about an entitled existence? He was being interviewed, and one of the questions was about having two jobs. And he answer was abundantly gracious.
Dean Sprott was very amenable to take time and answer questions about equipment when I was in the market for a Courtois trombone. I just sent him a random E-mail and he responded with a wealth of information even though I am “merely” a freelancer all the way on the other side of the country. Truly a good person and I should not omit the fact that he is a monster player.
Nobody forced you to read the interview.
What’s wrong with you? It doesn’t sound much like bleating to me — sounds like the answer to a question and a happy person speaking of how busy and fulfilled and privileged he feels.
Like, whut?? The guy is doing the job of two people, plus more, is good at it, admits that it brings him joy, and that’s somehow “entitled”? Nobody is forcing anyone to read this interview…
Hope your day improves.
Lighten up. He wasn’t complaining. He understands how fortunate he is.
Living in a place of gratitude for one’s circumstances and possibilities is a great place to be.
He’s just a person of colour that made it and is now crowing about his good fortune, big deal.
These people can never just be gracious in their silence can they? There’s always something to say (like the commenters on this blog, yes myself included ironically). See – aren’t we all wonderful?
…and there it is, plain as day. Your true gripe.
Speaking of people who can’t be gracious…
Graciousness has nothing to do with Simone’s comment.
He’s’ not crowing. He sounds thankful for his opportunities and what he has. You, on the other hand, sound racist. What on earth does his being “a person of colour” have to do with any of it?
These people?
“These people”
Jesus Christ.
“He’s just a person of color”….”these people”….
Wow.
Someone (a.k.a. “Simone”) has some serious issues.
May I make a suggestion? Treat other people the way you would want to be treated.
Perhaps you can start by treating everyone as an individual deserving of kindness and respect, rather than as a “category” where some are worthy but others aren’t.
Simone, not every thought that goes through your bigoted brain needs to be shared. Find a hobby.
Dear, do make an appointment with your psychiatrist as soon as possible. You seem to be at a breaking point.
“These people” – few arguments survive that phrase.
“These people”??? You should be ashamed to have thought that, much less typed it. What a sad world you must live in.
Wow. I hope you get that bitter, racist animus gland removed soon. I’m sure it’s horrible to live with.
MAGA nonsense.
I think “racism” may be more precise than “nonsense”.
Between Juilliard and the Met isn’t much of a trek…
As for the NY Phil lodged between Juilliard and the Met, the organization’s website and Youtube channel are more recently so self-consciously anti-tradition and anti-business-as-usual, that the culture is getting way too caught up in the politics.
That’s one reason why I’m now never sure if a person like Weston Sprott, etc, (or an event, entity or presentation) is given attention due more to the politics than necessarily the talent (or quality) alone. And, yes, I realize that Sprott does happen to be a dean at Juilliard.
I took that to be yet another thing he’s grateful for.
Norman, the blatant racism (and misogyny) is out of control. Your site provides a valuable resource to its readers. You are by far the best aggregator of classical music news on the web. The comments need better moderation, or just get rid of them, please.
“These people can never just be gracious in their silence can they?” Translation: Shut up, n****r.
But the clicks!
Everyone is missing the best point…The MET has a regular poker game. This is stupendous. I have a new respect for them. How do I get in?
That is the real takeaway here. Poker at The Met. What would Puccini say?
Deal me in?
“How much is the buy-in?” is probably close to what he’d say.
Loved his Bolero as guest principal with Dallas a few years back.