Posted by Anon for good reason on August 15, 2001 at 11:07:24:
In Reply to: Question posted by Anon on August 15, 2001 at 10:51:22:
Teach, or compose music.
I was in a simlar situation in my youth, and I took the tuba WAY too seriously. Got the Master's degree, hit the audition circuit. My teachers were always baffled about why I always did so poorly at auditions, and so was I, but in retrospect, it seems Freud had a good explanation: I never really wanted the gig.
When it finally dawned on me, I stopped taking auditions and practicing excerpts and got heavy into composition and improvisation. Still no money in it, but I was playing more often and better, and I became MUCH HAPPIER. Going back to school at 30 years old to get another degree in Jazz History with a goal of three part-time careers in teaching, writing and playing.
A more new-agey person than I would say: follw your bliss. A more cynical person than I would say: you'll never land a gig playing euphonium with so many people who want it more than you. Either way, one is always more successful when happy and comfortable.