Message text written by The Horn List >I just played a concert with a university symphony orchestra that has got into the habit of using an assistant principal for absolutely everything they play.<
Dear All This can be 'jobs for the boys' in the profession. I once 'bumped' (for US listers that translates as 'played assistant') in one of the BBC orchestras for two sessions one day. I played about 10 notes all day and my main function was to get the teas in at the break and go out and buy the 1st horn a can of de-icer for his car when the management were not looking. More sadly, I once bumped in Haydn's 'London' Symphony No 104 - did not play a note and was instructed just to play if the 1st horn succumbed to a nervous breakdown in the concert (he didn't). And I once bumped a very well known player (now retired) in Stravinsky's 'Rite of Spring' with the instruction of "it doesn't matter if you do not play - you can leave the horn in its case for all we care - you are there to make sure he (the 1st horn) does not get lost and WOE BETIDE YOU if you let him!!" Regards Paul A. Kampen (W. Yorks UK) _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
