New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-05-30

AN OLD BAND MAN TALKS ABOUT THE BUSINESS
AND HIS BRETHREN IN IT.

AN OLD BAND MAN TALKS ABOUT THE BUSINESS
AND HIS BRETHREN IN 1T.
An Old orchestra hand, who had grown gray,
stout and moderately well off bypaying first fiddle
for upward Of half century, sat beside TRIBUNE
reporter at the theatre the other evening and be-
guiled the time between the acts by talking about
his calling as follows:
81 suppose | an exception to the
rue in that have managed TO save little fortune
but there is no reason why should be- l made III
all out of the business, and when l began to play
for money we didn't get such wages as are paid
musicians nowadays. Many and many tiihe I've
played all ght at ball for seventy nVe rs ana
my supper aud thought my sell wei reconlDrhsed'
Now there Is not man IN that band beiOre YOU
who does not earn on the average from TWENTY-FIVE
70 thirty do ars a week and some OF them FAR NOR
Take those fellows who play IN the German opera
during the season IN addition 10 their other work
Iheyll make forty and fifty dollars right
along and sometimes even more. some
of these men, perhaps the majority,
who are PLAYING here tonight. vii leave a. soon as
this piece is flushed 10 furnish music for some pail
or party TIL morning and clear 9IO or plZ ior ther
nights work. This may happen 10 then three VI Vi
can see gives quite an income. Bat the average
musician Is an nveterate sDendthrift. No matter
how much he earns MS expenses Will equal MS IN
come His work Is such that 1t induces MN 10
drink and he IL constantly surrounded by inuu-
that tend TO foster intemperate HABITS IL Is
difficult for any man who works lrreguarly 10 De
temperate and musicians are by nature iona OF q
good time 900 H.. ,ao,o-,r
Few of them even have much lett at the end OF
the wear Their habits expensive and the most
popn ar ones spend a great deal IN entertaining
their men az well as their associates. they feel
that they have to do so 10 keep good players, IN
some cases, and general TO make themselves
popular with the boys i suppose 9SsD Dave awe
man in New-YoTk in his line.
His income on his music from Pond will go over
So 500 year, and his salary is about double that
tt.A lalf
make the most money by any means. Some or the
best artist that ever knew are Door today ana
will die poor because they lack business aDl.y ~
manage their affairs to the DesI au' an1aee,
Take for instance, the matter OF summer
work. This Is an important question Tor "a
man who has no engagement at any OF the seaslue
or other pleasure resorts. He must eat up his reg
play through the streetsi" suggested the re-
"Oh no, no. no. don't mention such thing
even III jest. No bona fde musician would ever
stoop 10 such work. He would starve hrst. maj
street band business will soon be done away WIN
| in this country The musical unions have taken
the matter lii hand, and hope to live 10 see the
/ practice abolished. Ii has brought dscredlt upon
the profession long enough. Don't infer from what
sand that there Is anything phenomenal about
seeing "A wel,-tO-do orchestra man. There are
| plentv of bandmen IN New York who are IN COM
Portable CIRCUMSTANCES. and | should not he sur
| ursed to find two three of those before us who
| have comfOrtaDie If not elabOratey furnished
homes and money In the bank besides. No
/ regular banduan has any other employment
he hasn't time for other work. After beng up al
nlrbt aud practising two or three honrs every day
what energy has be left for anything else1 II h
has to PLAY classical music, he u need 10 praclssc
| more than that. Am fond OF Beethoven and the
other masters! Certainly. but ! never liked TO play
them. Whv Because in the first place 1t was toe
hard work and secondly, not one out OF hve nun
| bred in he average audience In TIN. country ap
nrecintes or cares TO hear them played Again ant
aa,in Pye seen an audience that had received thes
snbnme symphonies with indifference peo1l nc l'iii
sntnnsiastIc over some catchy trash that was ha,
ashamed to play. But so ong as this Is so. what
The use of fighting against It'll GIVE the punn
what II wants and you'll become Is nave "eai'h-
| LII your old age"