Entrepreneurs in Music — and Don’t Forget about Mozart!

That’s an interesting question, Yvonne. What would I do differently if I were still a student? I think the important thing for students to realize is that to be successful they must always be students. It’s corny and cliché, but successful people continue to be curious – to check out new things – and to adapt. I wouldn’t advise practicing less. Your business (YOU, Inc.) has to be built on your playing (or composing, or teaching or scholarship). Build your business (again, YOU, Inc.) on your strengths and interests.

I once was on a panel at the International Trombone Association (or whatever they call it). We were discussing orchestra opportunities for trombonists. When I arrived at the venue, I looked at the sessions and concerts that had gone on in previous days. I saw that a sackbut quartet had given a concert and I thought, “What is that all about. Those guys must get together once a year and haul out their sackbuts and jam. They can’t make any money at it.” I made that comment to a trombone friend of mine who was at the conference and to my surprise at the time, (but not now in retrospect), those guys are in demand all over the world! They are doing their thing. Their music is too specific to do it just full-time in Des Moines or Denver or even New York City, but they apparently dominate the sackbut world market, and they do very well playing the music they love, on these old instruments, for lots of people. The lesson for me was (and still is) to do your thing, and then figure out how to get to that audience who wants to hear you doing your thing and are willing to pay for it. It’s not that big a stretch.