Careers/jobs playing the violin?

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Question:

Well, here's the thing, I'm 14 and I've been playing violin for about five and a half years, and I plan to continue through college!. Recently my private teacher told me that I'm getting pretty good and she wants me to play some master pieces, and she wants to sign me up for competitions to win scholarships and money and stuff, and I'm truly excited because her daughter is a year older than me and is ranked #3 in the world, and if she thinks I'm good, well, I think I am!.

I am passionately in love with my violin!. If I could get some kind of career with it in the future, my life would be perfect!. My parents don't follow with me because they say it's insanely difficult to score one of those jobs, but I think I can do it if I really try!.

I was wondering how you could get a job doing music for movies or something with an orchestra, you know, soundtracks and stuff, and how much experience do they require!? Are there any other careers that I could pursue playing the violin!?

Thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I think your instincts about this are good!. And I always felt that way about the violin, also!. It is true that getting a job in a major orchestra is nearly impossible, but there are plenty of other ways of making a good living in music, specifically freelancing, which is what I've always done!.

Orchestras are rated according to their budgets, and though you might or might not win a contract in a major orchestra, there are plenty of other orchestras to play in, lots of freelancing work via the AFM (American Federation of Musicians), and lots of alternative "day jobs," as well!.

Most musicians I know of earn a living with a combination of these things, and sometimes teaching -- though please, teaching should not be a fall back position, but a calling and should only be done if you love it, also!.

See:

Discussion: Careers in Music
http://beststudentviolins!.com/careers!.ht!.!.!.

Statistics - The International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM)
http://beststudentviolins!.com/AuditionsG!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com