It has been way too long since I have written a blog. Yes I am still alive and singing lol. This is going to be a short quick update on what has been going on. I have been assigned the role of the Commissioner and understudy for Sharpless (the lead baritone role) in Madama Butterfly with Verismo Opera Club. It is disappointing to only be the understudy, however, I am happy that I got it because it is still a resume builder. Verismo opened up last year, and they seem to be fun, caring people to work with. I hope something happens with these gas prices before I have to start making all those trips to Oak Park.
I have also been blessed to receive the baritone solo of the Brahms Requiem with the Chicago Community Chorus with Orchestra. I am excited about this opportunity. I was presented with the opportunity to either conduct one of the movements (because I am the Assistant Conductor) or sing the solo, and I said I am a singer first lol. It would have been my first time conducting an orchestra, but the opportunity will come again.
The last thing I am going to talk about is my decision to move on from an opera company that will remain nameless. I have been with them since day one, but there is too much going on for me. In the last concert I saved them by singing the role of Figaro with one days notice. After that they wanted to act funny about paying me for my services. Since then they have had 2 concerts that I have not been asked to participate in. I just don't understand how I can be in almost all of the concerts, and then after I saved their behinds, I get nothing. That is my cue to move on with my life. That is all I will say about that.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading!
Brandon
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Professionalism
Disclaimer: I am writing this blog in a frustrated mood. I have calmed down a little, but I am still very upset at the things that have occurred.
Tonight I will be singing in a recital with 4 of my friends, and we were going to be accompanied by a person whose name I will not use. We have been in contact with him for over a month about him playing for our recital. He agreed and was all gungho about it, so we all thought it was a good option. He is a great pianist, and we were excited to work with him. From that moment things started to go downhill. He is not easy to get in contact with. He doesn't respond to text, phone calls, or e-mails. We all have tried contacting him, but he responds when he is ready. So, we were able to schedule a rehearsal for Wednesday (for a recital that is supposed to be on Friday). Tuesday night we receive an e-mail from him stating that he has a doctor appointment during our rehearsal time, and he has to go because he is going out of the country on Saturday. He asked could we possibly rehearse on Thursday at his place or he can meet us. Some of us said we can rehearse on Thursday, and some declined. So we were ready to rehearse on Thursday, and we didn't here back from him until 5:12 p.m.! He said that he thought we couldn't rehearse on Thursday. Why in the world would he ask can we rehearse, and then not respond to calls, e-mails, and texts? So, not the performance is almost 24 hours away, and we have yet to rehearse with our accompanist.
One of the other singers tweeted that he wish he could have rehearsed with the accompanist before the concert, and I retweeted it, saying me too. We both finally got a message from the accompanist almost right away saying that if that is the way we feel we should find another accompanist for tomorrow. He then went on to say that it was too far and not enough money, and he complained about getting the music late. He then proceeds to text my friend that planned this event, and told her that he is not going to play tomorrow because he feels disrespected by me and my other friend. I'm trying to figure out what was said or done that was disrespectful. Is there something wrong with having the desire to rehearse with an accompanist before a concert? So he drops out of the concert, and it is 24 hours away. Now we have to find someone that can play all of the music at the 11th hour. Luckily my friend found someone, and we all have to pray that it works out.
My friend then receives a text from our original accompanist saying that he decided on a "confidence front" that he will not play because of what was said, but he has found a replacement. At that point all I could do was the stupid look. If he had such a problem with what was said, why would he find someone else to play, and agree to it so quickly? There is definitely something fishy about this situation. He didn't want to play from the beginning. If there was a problem with anything he should have said it then, and not 24 hours before the concert. He was just using that to get out of playing because he probably overextended himself. If he knew he was going out of the country the next day, then he should have told us that a long time ago. I am very perturbed at his lack of professionalism and character. He has made himself look very bad, and in his selfish and cowardly act, he has sabotaged our concert. I am going end here because I don't want to get my pressure up anymore than it already is.
Good Day.
Tonight I will be singing in a recital with 4 of my friends, and we were going to be accompanied by a person whose name I will not use. We have been in contact with him for over a month about him playing for our recital. He agreed and was all gungho about it, so we all thought it was a good option. He is a great pianist, and we were excited to work with him. From that moment things started to go downhill. He is not easy to get in contact with. He doesn't respond to text, phone calls, or e-mails. We all have tried contacting him, but he responds when he is ready. So, we were able to schedule a rehearsal for Wednesday (for a recital that is supposed to be on Friday). Tuesday night we receive an e-mail from him stating that he has a doctor appointment during our rehearsal time, and he has to go because he is going out of the country on Saturday. He asked could we possibly rehearse on Thursday at his place or he can meet us. Some of us said we can rehearse on Thursday, and some declined. So we were ready to rehearse on Thursday, and we didn't here back from him until 5:12 p.m.! He said that he thought we couldn't rehearse on Thursday. Why in the world would he ask can we rehearse, and then not respond to calls, e-mails, and texts? So, not the performance is almost 24 hours away, and we have yet to rehearse with our accompanist.
One of the other singers tweeted that he wish he could have rehearsed with the accompanist before the concert, and I retweeted it, saying me too. We both finally got a message from the accompanist almost right away saying that if that is the way we feel we should find another accompanist for tomorrow. He then went on to say that it was too far and not enough money, and he complained about getting the music late. He then proceeds to text my friend that planned this event, and told her that he is not going to play tomorrow because he feels disrespected by me and my other friend. I'm trying to figure out what was said or done that was disrespectful. Is there something wrong with having the desire to rehearse with an accompanist before a concert? So he drops out of the concert, and it is 24 hours away. Now we have to find someone that can play all of the music at the 11th hour. Luckily my friend found someone, and we all have to pray that it works out.
My friend then receives a text from our original accompanist saying that he decided on a "confidence front" that he will not play because of what was said, but he has found a replacement. At that point all I could do was the stupid look. If he had such a problem with what was said, why would he find someone else to play, and agree to it so quickly? There is definitely something fishy about this situation. He didn't want to play from the beginning. If there was a problem with anything he should have said it then, and not 24 hours before the concert. He was just using that to get out of playing because he probably overextended himself. If he knew he was going out of the country the next day, then he should have told us that a long time ago. I am very perturbed at his lack of professionalism and character. He has made himself look very bad, and in his selfish and cowardly act, he has sabotaged our concert. I am going end here because I don't want to get my pressure up anymore than it already is.
Good Day.
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