Being a musician isn't cheap. To be honest, I really don't even know how much it all actually costs, so here's a general tally for what I think I will end up spending in the four years of high school:
3 boxes Vandoren V12 reeds per year: $324
1 box Vandoren tenor sax reeds per year: $57
neck strap for tenor sax: $12
Blessing Horn mouthpiece: $45
valve oil: $12
music stand: $25
mallets (4 pairs): $100
drumsticks: $32
practice drum pad: $33
snare stand for drum pad: $55
timpani mallets:$24
professional wood clarinet: $900
Four years of marching band: $1580
odds and ends (ligatures, flipfolders, pencils): $250
audition fees: $200
(prices from Woodwind & Brasswind)
Grand total? $3649. That's a lot of money, and it doesn't even include performance trips, food at all the competitions and festivals I go to, and the gas to get me there.
It isn't just monetary cost either. I spend an average of two and a half hours a day doing something musical. That doesn't include then days when I have rehearsals. For one week this marching season, I was at school until at least 10PM every day. Even now that it's festival season, I'm still never home. Between Wind Ensemle rehearsal, Jazz band, Gainseville Youth Symphony Orchestra, and percussion ensembles, I'm lucky to have an afternoon to myself.
Despite all the costs, I still think music is worth it.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI've read all your blog posts and to be honest, I was surprised. I was expecting some blog about how fun band is or something (your URL says it all). I was wrong-- I love your blog. I've wanted to start playing the Sax for about 2 years now and I just don't have the money or any idea how to start. Reviewing your "general tally", it is obvious, music isn't just a hobby. It is life. I hope this isn't the last of your posts...
-Taylor
Taylor, this is in no way the last of my posts. I just got a really awesome book on music and it's effects on the brain, and I'm about to finish it and work it into my last big post for this project. However, I plan on continuing this blog. I've found it's a good outlet for my ideas.
ReplyDeleteI can teach you tenor sax if you want. I'm going to have to quit jazz band due to some outside reasons, so I have an extra mouthpiece and a few reeds to spare. Just let me know over Facebook when you have some extra time and we can set up some lessons. I'm free every morning ecept Thursdays.
One question: how much do you know about music? Can you read music? Or are we starting from scratch? I'm trained for both; I just need to know what to bring.
Money, money, money. I loev that you point out how expensive our favorite hobbies can be. I couldn't tell you how much I've spent on soccer. It gets to the point where it's ridiculous and you question, is it worth it? I say yes, and you do too, but other may disagree.
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you Sarah.
ReplyDeleteHow long have you known you wanted to go into music? What inspired you to start playing instruments? If and when you get into a musical college, what do you want to do?
Sorry if I seem like I'm prying. I'm really interested though, because I've recently begun thinking about a job involving music, not playing, since I can only play mediocre piano, but perhaps producing and such.
Georgia, yeah, I know what you mean. I did soccer for years, so I know how expensive that can be.
ReplyDeleteKaitlynn, I've known since about the middle of freshman year that I wanted to go into music. Sadly, I started playing clarinet in 6th grade beacuse someone told me I couldn't. I want to go into music education primarily, but I've gotten so many classes taken care of through AP credit that I plan to minor in either music theory or cognative musical psychology. If you want to go into music, producing or music business is your best bet. UGA and GA State have awesome programs for that. I would suggest taking music theory with Mr. Keegan next year if you could. It will give you a good foundation. You'll need to go talk to him, since the applications are already due, but I can help you persuade him. :)