What do you want to be when you grow up? Most likely, people have asked you that question since you were 5 years old, and the answer has probably changed many times. Actor, dancer, firefighter, doctor … maybe musician.
For me, the answer has been consistent—poet, novelist, screenwriter, journalist. For fleeting moments, I pondered the thought of being a professional flutist. My private teacher thought I played well enough. “With a little practice …” he would constantly say.
His life seemed pretty romantic. Instructor, recording artist and a pit performer with the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “The Will Rogers Follies.”
For a while, it seemed that I could achieve that level. As a high school junior, I scored 100 in my Level VI solo with the New York State School Music Association festival. However, as I got older, my playing skills did not mature at the same rate. It became harder for me to keep up with the caliber of flutists in college and beyond—most likely because I did not practice enough.
So I admire all of you professional musicians—in symphonies, bands, theater pits or working as solo recording artists— for your patience, persistence and talent.
For the rest of us, we realize that we don’t need to perform daily to keep music in our lives and our careers. That’s why we, at Halftime Magazine, have put together this special careers issue. Being involved with marching band gives us a firm foundation in discipline and teamwork and can lead us down many paths.
For example, did you know that the military is one of the largest employers of musicians (pg. 28)? And that musicians play invaluable roles in the instrument creation and production processes (pg. 38)?
Also, be sure to check out a personal account about touring with “Blast!” (pg. 24) and profiles of some amazing marching alumni who credit their lucrative careers in business and entertainment to their time in band (pg. 14).
Look for more types of careers in upcoming issues of Halftime Magazine. We will be writing about experiences in music retail, theme park performance and, of course, education.
As for me, I have accomplished my goal as a journalist while being able to write about and attend marching competitions as part of my job. I also talk to some of the best musicians, instructors and color guard performers on a daily basis. I couldn’t ask for a better blend of career and hobby.
So, what do you want to be when you grow up? Blog about your aspirations at http://www.community.halftimemag.com/.
Musically Yours,
Christine Ngeo Katzman
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
Photo Caption: Christine touring the Remo factory with Manuel Solis (left) and Bruce Jacoby. Photo by Janel Healy
