66: Networking at Summer Festivals
The friendships forged during your school years endure for a lifetime. I can’t stress enough how often I was given this invaluable advice throughout my music education. It is simple yet profoundly impactful: embrace your surroundings, foster connections, and actively maintain them. And trust me, it’s not just a cliché. Classical musicians are practitioners of the most collaborative art form, where the interplay of talent creates something truly special. Within a single week a freelance musician might juggle three different programs, with three different ensembles in entirely different cities. Working musicians spin a magnificent web of connections where we are all likely connected by just one or two degrees of separation.
The friendships you cultivate during your students years hold a lasting impact. These connections become your advocates, eagerly recommending you, considering you for new projects, and taking a keen interest in your artistic life. It’s a reality, for better or worse, that personal connections wield tremendous influence over the programming and performance opportunities in classical music. With a surplus of talented musicians and limited performances, the power of personal relationships becomes paramount in securing work. Those blessed with natural networking skills enjoy a distinct advantage, for the rest of us who find this aspect challenging, there is room to learn, grow, and amplify your own advantages in this domain.
Summer festivals and music camps present fantastic opportunities to connect with musicians from across the globe. These vibrant gatherings bring together dozens of schools, countries, and diverse areas of musical expertise, creating a melting pot of talent. Renowned teachers, professionals, visiting conductors, master artists, and prominent mentors converge at these events, saturating the atmosphere with their wealth of experience. The concentrated intensity of concerts, masterclasses, and coaching amplifies the time spent collaborating and learning from others. Within this somewhat idyllic environment, friendships have a rich ground to flourish and blossom, offering an ideal setting to forge lifelong connections.
Here are some thoughts to help your approach to networking:
1. Understanding the Value of Networking
To make the most of networking opportunities, it’s crucial to recognize their importance. This simple knowledge will shape your decisions, keep you open to the activity, and help you learn from others.
2. Being a Great Colleague
Your behavior leaves a lasting impression on others, and they will remember you for it. Were you a delight to collaborate with—prepared, generous, complimentary, and engaging? Or did you exhibit harshness, coldness, competitiveness, or dismissiveness? Were you unprepared, frequently late to rehearsals, or disorganized with your music? Keep in mind that people not only seek out talented musicians, but they also yearn to work with individuals they genuinely like and can rely on. I distinctly recall my first music festival at the age of 18 where senior students treated me with kindness and respect, leaving an indelible impact. On the other hand, I have strong memories of those individuals who were dismissive and rude to those they deemed unimportant. It's worth remembering that someone you once considered insignificant may unexpectedly hold a position of influence in the future. People evolve, and careers unfold in the most unpredictable ways. As an aspiring musician, it is imperative never to underestimate the importance of treating people with respect and kindness, leaving behind a positive impression that resonates throughout your career.
3. Showing Up
One of the great joys of summer festivals is the abundance of concerts and public classes. Attending these events allows you to immerse yourself in good music and showcase your support for others. Show up for concerts, support your friends, and demonstrate your admiration for teachers and artists. Participate in post-concert gatherings, shared meals, or organized activities. Your active presence will not only foster stronger relationships but also demonstrate your commitment to the musical community.
4. Cultivating Relationships
Once a connection is established, it is essential to nurture it. Successful networkers often maintain regular contact with their contacts through personal notes, newsletters, or social media platforms. Find a method that works for you to keep in touch and help the relationship grow. It often takes multiple encounters before collaboration opportunities arise. Relationships formed during your student years can span decades and follow you throughout your career. By cultivating these connections, you are building a network of lifelong musical family members.
5. Continue Actively Developing Your Skills
Networking may not be the most glamorous aspect of being a musician and can sometimes carry negative connotations. Words like "self-promotion" and "branding" can also evoke a sense of discomfort. However, it is undeniable that these tools play a crucial role in propelling careers forward. Most musicians do not inherently possess exceptional networking skills, but we can grow and cultivate this ability. Observe those who excel in making connections, learn from their practices, and acquire new skills. Start with small steps, such as expressing gratitude to teachers after masterclasses, sending congratulatory messages to fellow musicians, and actively participating in events like open coffee sessions to engage with deans and directors. The wisdom found in books like "How to Win Friends and Influence People" provides valuable guidance for making lasting connections. Networking is an ongoing practice, and by investing in our networking abilities, we will cultivate opportunities.
In conclusion, I present these ideas as valuable advice for young musicians embarking on their careers. Embrace these principles with joy and enthusiasm, as they have the power to shape countless collaborations that can span decades. It is truly remarkable how many seasoned musicians in their 60s and 70s still cherish the memory of meeting their closest musical partners during their early 20s at pivotal festivals. Let this be a testament to the impact of forging good connections.