English
Presentation
Life as a Professional Orchestra
Musician
Introduction
Good morning, class! I am the concertmaster of the
Berlin Philharmonic, and today I will be talking to you about
“Life as a Professional Orchestra Musician.” To begin with,
let me share why I chose this theme. As concertmaster, I
am not only the “leader” of the violin section but also a
representative of the entire orchestra. My role includes
responsibilities such as tuning the string section and
serving as a bridge between the conductor and the
musicians. It’s a role that comes with significant pressure,
but it is also deeply rewarding. Given my experience in this
position, I couldn’t think of a better topic to share with you
today.
Building a Professional Music
Career
How does it all start? Well, to become a professional
like me, you need to begin with a strong foundation. This
means learning the basics: music theory, reading sheet
music, and developing a sense of rhythm. From there, you
start lessons on your instrument—violin, in my case—
working on posture, bowing techniques, and tone
production.
As you progress, your practice routines become more
demanding. What starts as one or two hours a day grows to
three, four, or even five hours as you take on more
challenging pieces and advanced techniques. Scales,
études, and solo repertoire become your daily routine,
helping you build both technical skill and musical
expression.
Formal education is just as important. Attending a
conservatory or university gives you access to incredible
teachers, performance opportunities, and valuable
connections. Masterclasses and workshops with renowned
musicians help you refine your craft and understand the
professional world.
It’s not all smooth sailing, though. The path to
becoming a professional musician is full of challenges—
rejections, difficult auditions, and moments of doubt. But
perseverance is key. Joining youth orchestras, attending
music festivals, and playing in competitions not only builds
your experience but also shows you the joy of playing with
others and sharing music with an audience.
Becoming an Orchestra Member
Well, now that you’ve got both the qualifications and
the skills, how do you actually join an orchestra? It all starts
with the audition process—a nerve-wracking but essential
step. Auditions are usually held behind a screen to ensure
impartiality, and candidates are asked to play orchestral
excerpts, solos, and sometimes even sight-read. The
competition is fierce, with dozens, if not hundreds, of highly
skilled musicians vying for the same spot.
If you make it through the auditions, the next step is
often a trial period. This is where you join the orchestra for
a series of rehearsals and performances, giving both you
and the ensemble a chance to assess the fit. It’s not just
about your playing—how well you work with others and
adapt to the orchestra’s dynamic matters just as much.
Of course, this process can be incredibly stressful,
which is why mental preparation is just as important as
musical preparation. Staying calm under pressure, focusing
on the music, and recovering quickly from mistakes are
essential skills, both for auditions and life in an orchestra.
Networking also plays a huge role. Many opportunities
come from connections within the music world—teachers,
colleagues, or musicians you’ve met at festivals or
competitions. Building these relationships can open doors
to auditions or even lead to recommendations that help you
stand out.
Orchestra Arrangement
How is an orchestra arranged? What does it contain?
Well, to start off, there’s the conductor. The conductor leads
the orchestra, setting the tempo, shaping the phrasing, and
ensuring that all sections play together cohesively. They’re
essentially the orchestra’s guide, communicating their
interpretation of the music through gestures and
expressions.
Now let’s talk about the 4 main sections of the
orchestra. The largest is the strings section. It includes:
First Violins
Second Violins
Violas
Cellos
Double Basses
Next, we have the woodwind section. It includes:
Flutes
Oboes
Clarinets
Bassoons
Then there’s the brass section. This includes:
Trumpets
French Horns
Trombones
Tuba
Finally, there is the percussion, which changes
according to the piece that is being played. Some of the
most common instruments are:
Timpani
Snare Drum, Bass Drum and Cymbals
Keyboard percussion like xylophones or glockenspiels
Some orchestras also feature a keyboard section,
where instruments like the piano or celesta are used in
certain pieces. Additionally, the harp is sometimes included,
adding a unique shimmering sound.
Financial Aspects
Let’s now talk about the financial aspects of this
profession. To illustrate, I’ll share insights into the
compensation of musicians in the Berlin Philharmonic and
Portugal's Gulbenkian Orchestra.
Berlin Philharmonic
The Berlin Philharmonic is renowned not only for its
artistic excellence but also for its competitive
compensation. Tutti players, who are ensemble members
without leadership roles, earn an average annual salary of
approximately €114,000. This translates to a monthly
income of about €9,500. Principal players, who lead their
respective sections, receive higher remuneration, reflecting
their additional responsibilities.
Gulbenkian Orchestra
In contrast, the Gulbenkian Orchestra in Portugal offers
different compensation levels. For instance, a
concertmaster—a leading violinist—receives a monthly
salary of €5,069, paid 14 times per year, resulting in an
annual income of approximately €71,000. Other positions,
such as viola players, have a monthly salary of €2,726, also
paid 14 times annually, totaling around €38,164 per year.
These figures indicate that while the Gulbenkian Orchestra
provides respectable compensation within the Portuguese
context, it is comparatively lower than that of the Berlin
Philharmonic.
Conclusion
To conclude, I am going to play a short extract from
Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto in G Minor. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for your attention! If you have any questions,
feel free to ask!
