Page 18 - Phil Connections Magazine 12-2020 final_Neat

Phil MUSICIANS

In preparation for our recent virtual fundraising

and holiday event, three of our musicians shared,

in their own words, how COVID has affected their life.

I look forward to going to work. How many people can say that?
One Monday March 9th I was playing the dress rehearsal of Bellini’s opera,
Norma, for the Boston Lyric Opera. We were informed that this would be
the last time we would be gathering to perform together. All performances
were cancelled. In the next 24 hours, I saw all my work vanish for the
foreseeable future. Never have I lost all my part time jobs at once. It was
numbing. It was terrifying. And sadly we haven’t seen much of a change
in our professional lives since this moment in March.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it: financial survival has been extremely
challenging. Our jobs do not work well within the unemployment system.
Meet Phil cellist We also need to keep our skill level up so that once this whole pandemic
is over we won’t find ourselves irrelevant.
ELEANOR BLAKE So what have I been doing? You have to make lemonade out of your lemons
in life, and I decided to do just that. I have learned how to play baroque
cello, something I’ve always wanted to do, but I’ve never had the time
I’m a freelance musician and I work for several orchestras and opera to do. Baroque cello looks just like a regular cello but it has gut strings, a
companies in the New England area. Our lives as freelancers consist of slightly different bow, and no endpin. I have also discovered I am pretty
many part time jobs which is wonderful because there’s a certain amount handy with house renovations. Through YouTube videos I learned to do
of job security that comes with having many employers. If one doesn’t pan lots of things I would have never dreamed of doing before by myself.
out there’s always another one that will come through. Every orchestra I play with has its own individual feeling, its own
Being a freelancer in the Boston area is a challenging thing as we are personality. When it comes to the Plymouth Philharmonic that feeling is
blessed with a deep field of talented professionals to choose from. This a big family. In the Phil we’re always excited to see each other and catch
makes the quality of our regional orchestras high and makes a spot within up on one another’s family and work activities. I never feel a sense of
an orchestra quite competitive. Through the year we put our schedules competitiveness, just a feeling of us all working towards a common goal
together like a gigantic jigsaw puzzle to make it all work to become our to bring the best music to our audience that we can. I honestly believe
income. the audience can feel that too.

I love what I do. I began playing at 4, and cello is my passion. It is my I miss my Plymouth family. I miss our audience. I miss that energy in the
hobby. And it is my job. The driving and the schedule juggling can be hall when we are performing. And I will definitely miss our Christmas
challenging but it is all worth it when it comes down to the rehearsals concerts this winter and those hours of happiness and joy we all spend
and the performances. together. Happy holidays to you, to all of you in our Plymouth Philharmonic
I feel like playing music is my life blood. Sitting in the middle of an orchestra family. Please use your masks and social distance because we miss all of
is the ultimate stereo sound experience with everyone’s mind and body you and want to be back with you as soon as possible.
working to create a common moment for our audience to enjoy. It’s an
adrenaline rush and it’s the only thing in the world I could imagine doing.

PAGE 18 CONNECTIONS