[TPIN] (no subject)

[Louie Eckhardt]

TPIN,

This is sort of a strange question, but at this point I'm really open to any
suggestions.

I'll be graduating this may from Penn State with a Master's degree in
trumpet performance.  I've decided to not begin my DMA right away, as I
think I should get some performing and teaching experience first.  My
girlfriend and I are deciding where we should move next year.  Although I'm
taking several auditions (Baltimore Symphony, Army Field Band, Marine Band,
and whatever else pops up), I'm not PLANNING on winning any of them
(although you never know...)  There is also the possibility that a
professorship at a small liberal arts college that I have my foot in the
door, although I'm not planning on getting offered that job either.  What is
probably going to happen is that I will move to a large city, teach, gig,
and take lessons from someone in the orchestra to learn the rep well enough
to win a job.  My girlfriend is in Arts Management (and is very good at
it...she used to work at the Kennedy Center), so she can really go anywhere.

My question is this...where do you suggest that I move next summer?  I'd
like to stay on the east coast, or in the midwest, for the shear purpose of
moving expenses.  I'm looking for the job market as far as teaching and
playing opportunities.  I can also get a part-time day-gig if I need to.
Here are some of the cities that I've thought about...

Washington DC (my teacher Fitz, is well connected down there and could
probably help get my foot in the door)
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh (already take lessons on the side from Chuck Lirette)
Chicago (know the town, but don't really know anyone there)
Minneapolis
Omaha (native Nebraskan...know a lot of the guys in this town, and Lincoln
as well)

These were just some thoughts that my girlfriend and I had.  We are
definitely open to suggestions, however.  Any thoughts?

Louie

------------------------------------------------------
Louie Eckhardt
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Trumpet
Pennsylvania State University
School: http://www.music.psu.edu/
Personal: http://www.LouieEckhardt.com