Part-Time Work, Full-Time Commitment

Backstage entrance to Phoenix Symphony Hall.

For many of the musicians, performing with the opera is just one among many music jobs that make up a complete career. While an AZOOMA musician is technically a part-time employee with the Arizona Opera, their commitment to music and professional music-making is full-time.

The long hours of practice, the physical and mental preparation, the nutrition discipline, balancing rest and skill development – these all come together on performance days. 

For each performance and rehearsal, a significant amount of time and thought is involved in preparing. Professional musicians must spend hours of daily practice to be in good shape to play and nail it on the job.

What is seen and heard at a concert – even what is accomplished in rehearsals – is really only a fraction of the complete picture!

Daily training

Performing classical music requires regular physical and mental conditioning, just like athletes. This may require anywhere from ninety minutes to several hours – every day.

The ability to walk in and get the job done absolutely requires this daily training, and this is what professionals do. Most of the time spent on the instrument is not in group practice, but rather at home with a metronome.

There is an old saying among musicians – “If you miss one day of practice, you will know. If you miss two days of practice, your colleagues will know. If you miss three days of practice, everybody will know.”

Even among the world’s greatest musicians, strong fingers and iron chops regress quickly without daily practice.

Additional time and expense is also spent on maintaining instruments, making reeds, studying scores and recordings, and in private lessons and coachings.

Auditions

Each member of the orchestra had to pass a rigorous audition process and must maintain high-standard performance abilities. Musicians failing to meet the rigorous standards of performing at a high level may be demoted or released from their contract for artistic reasons.

Stress

Stress is an integral part of the music performing experience. For some, stress is not a problem, but for others it generates fear, tension and even illness.

Stress can have a negative impact on the quality of the performance, often creating feelings of anxiety, doubt and despair in the musician. Many musicians take extra time to deal with performance stress through exercise – such as running, yoga, and martial arts – or with physical therapy.

For the Arizona Opera musicians, there is a great deal of travel involved. The orchestra employs musicians from all over Arizona, and the company produces operas in two cities that are about 120 miles apart.

The stress of juggling multiple schedules, driving long distances for rehearsals and concerts, having lots of down time between services — or none at all — can be overwhelming.

Have violin, will travel

Physical effort requires regular physical training, and opera musicians in particular need to be on their toes in order to keep in pace with the action onstage.

In the grander scheme too, for any professional in any field the final product is just the tip of the iceberg. It is the result of many hours of hard work and performing music is no different!