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I have played the trombone for 13 years and the euphonium for 9 years. My first gigs were free, in high school. I was in a chamber ensemble outside of school and we were too stupid to know we should charge people when we played for them! Those were for various churches, the Coast Guard, etc.
Then in college, I had a gig every Easter. I did brass ensemble gigs, as well as "hired help" orchestra, where a church with a full orchestra brings professionals in for the Easter service or Christmas program so that it sounds better (only REALLY big churches do that, ex: Second Baptist in Houston...). I have also done some stuff for corporate things...like this dixie land crap that a company called Dixie wanted some of us to do at their annual picnic...really retarded, and I played a mock "pep rally" in an airplane hanger for Southwest Airlines (even MORE retarded!). So I have done mostly classical chamber music type stuff, plus sort of jazz, contemporary stuff too. I do not like to gig. It is fast money, but I do not like being told what to play (special orders...) and sometimes the playing environment is not so great (like wind blowing necessitating clothespins for your music or blowing your stand over, conductors who are impossible to follow, not spending time with your family on holidays 'cause you're out on a gig...).
Now that I am out of college and will soon have a real job, I won't need to gig for my Christmas shopping money and my tax money at Easter (which is why I MADE myself gig then!). I guess if asked, I might play for someone again, but it would just be for fun money. In college, it is really hard to turn down $350 for one hour of work!
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