Theatre Music Directors: Connecting with Other Music Directors
Music directing is usually, by its nature, a solitary profession. Artistic directors and producers only hire MDs one at a time, so we rarely get to work with or even meet each other. We hear about other MDs by reputation or perhaps we’ll meet if there’s an overlap from one show to the next.
Despite the isolated nature of a music directing career, its also an industry in which networking is key. MDs rarely audition for jobs, and are usually recommended for jobs by word of mouth or sub for friends when needed.
Nothing can substitute meeting face-to-face, having a drink, playing together in a pit or collaborating on a project – but nevertheless, here are a few ways to connect with other theatre music directors online.
Theatre Music Directors Facebook Group
This is a group for professional music directors in the theatre industry. You can find it at this link.
Please leave the group a wall post including something about yourself – where you’ve worked, where you live, etc.
Theatre Music Directors Twitter Group
There are several ways to put together groups on Twitter, and most of them are pretty unsatisfying. The best one at this time seems to be Twibes.com, which automatically adds you to a group if you are kind enough to send out a tweet that promotes their site (you’ll see). Shameless, to be sure, but not a bad way, in the end, for us all to find each other on the Great White Twit.
Here’s the link:
The theatremusicdirectors Twibe
Theatre Music Directors Listserv
Lastly, there is a email list at Yahoo Groups that music directors can subscribe (and contribute) to, although this list is currently invite only. This is a (new and tad bit sleepy) group for MDs to discuss current topics and find out about new job openings.
You can find this group at this link.
Which One Should You Use?
As with any niche topic online, which group you join and how you connect all depends on your internet habits and interests, but at least one of these options should help you connect in the industry. Try them all out and see which one works best for you.
About the author
My buddy Jeremy Yaddaw led me to this site and I just wanted to say thanks! Everything you said is right on the money!
9/7/2009
Thanks for another great article! The advice you give is SO helpful, you have no idea.
5/7/2010
I’m not sure if this would interest any of the music directors in your listserv, but the Army is currently looking for experienced conductors to fill some vacancies at a few bands. Here’s the link: http://www.usarmyband.com/jobs/conductor_-_army_band_programs.html. It’s a pretty sweet gig if selected, but I realize it’s not for everybody.
6/30/2010
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