Florida Orchestra Musician Statistics
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Using these statistics as well as a little imagination, one can form a more solid image of
what the average FOMA musician's daily life is like. Just imagine a fictional musician named,
let's say, Charlie, who embodies all the qualities of the average FOMA
musician. This is what Charlie's life would generally look like so far:
Charlie started studying his instrument at the age of ten. He got interested in playing for one of several reasons: possibly because his school or his parents took him to an orchestra concert; or maybe he saw a concert on TV; perhaps an older sibling played an instrument; or then again maybe his elementary school required everyone to pick up an instrument. He took private lessons all through primary and secondary school (here we give a nod to his parents who had to drive him everywhere and pay for the lessons!), and by the age of 16 he had to decide whether or not to make music his profession. He received a Bachelor's Degree and most likely a Master's Degree from a nationally top-ranked music school. He began working as a freelance professional musician right out of college at the age of 21; it is most likely that he helped pay for his Master's Degree by playing gigs in the region around the school. It took several years and numerous auditions, but in 1988 Charlie--now in his late twenties--finally won a position with The Florida Orchestra after going through a rigorous audition process (click here for more info on what it is like to audition for a professional orchestra). In order for Charlie to maintain the high artistic quality required of him as a professional, he needed to have a high quality instrument, so he postponed purchasing a house in favor of buying an instrument. Today, at the age of 52, Charlie teaches and freelances in addition to his Florida Orchestra job. He practices an average of 15 hours a week on top of the orchestra's rehearsal schedule. He may possibly be married and most likely has one child who is in or about to be in college. He volunteers in his community and has a hobby or two outside his job. He is careful to maintain his physical health because repetitive stress injury is common among musicians. If you asked Charlie, he would say that this is a tough, rough, and stressful career to have; but he would follow that comment with another about how it's an interesting life, giving him the chance to do and see things that others would not have to opportunity to experience. And then, if you look closely, you might see Charlie stare off into the distance for a split second as he ponders the untenable elements of his career: the lifetime of passion for music that has brought him to this point, the decades of single-minded dedication, the inexorable draw to the concert stage, the adrenalin rush of a performance's first note, the heady joy of a fine concert. And then Charlie will smile. 
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