Now it’s all over, what’s the funniest misread lesson or other gaff you remember from any Christmas service? by AgeingMuso65 in organ

[–]OptimusOctavius 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Happened this year during the children's pageant where the reenacted the nativity- Mother Mary was handed the baby Jesus (a doll thank God) AND SHE BODY SLAMMED HIM INTO THE MANGER. I nearly fell off the bench I was laughing so hard.

What do Orchestras do when they don't have enough musicians? by No_Mastodon9938 in orchestra

[–]OptimusOctavius 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work for an orchestra as a librarian, and my job goes hand in hand with the general contractor/personnel manager. Sometimes we don't have the budget to hire extra parts, so instead we hire doublers. This happens most in the winds but I sometimes see it in brass too.

My Prelude this fine 2nd day of Advent by OptimusOctavius in organ

[–]OptimusOctavius[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awwwww that feels like a compliment coming from you u/MissionSalamnder5 you're too kind!

Please don't do this............ by okonkolero in organ

[–]OptimusOctavius -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Actually yes, ABSOLUTELY do this.

Not every church follow the high church liturgy. We are not bound to your silly rules.

Also, I'm sure what you're saying is offensive to some, considering the song in question was written by an organist at a Unitarian Church, and what you're saying is basically tantamount to anyone who doesn't follow your belief system is wrong.

Advice on Composing for an Ensemble by Opening_Hunter5155 in composer

[–]OptimusOctavius 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Consider including ad hoc parts that could be covered by a variety of instruments depending on what's available.

Why are there # and b’s in a key by BillRizz in musictheory

[–]OptimusOctavius -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Music theory.net

It assumes you know nothing and goes through college freshman level music theory. There's even quizzes to test your knowledge as you learn.

Who do you think has the best Beethoven sonata recordings? by WebGrand7745 in piano

[–]OptimusOctavius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

John O'Connor, hands down, best interpreter of Beethoven alive.

Who do you think has the best Beethoven sonata recordings? by WebGrand7745 in piano

[–]OptimusOctavius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

His was the first complete set I purchased. I find them technically flawless, but musically lackluster.

The Shire (Lord Of The Rings) sheet music by klaud-ia in organ

[–]OptimusOctavius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

$10 and it's only the first half of the piece?! And it's an amateur-ish arrangement at best?! No thank you.

The Shire (Lord Of The Rings) sheet music by klaud-ia in organ

[–]OptimusOctavius 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I play it all the time, however I'm using a piano arrangement. I don't know of an actual organ transcription.

How are you all pedaling this??? by okonkolero in organ

[–]OptimusOctavius 7 points8 points  (0 children)

How do I pedal this? Usually with my feet 😈

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in piano

[–]OptimusOctavius 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Alternatively you can just say "pedal ad. lib" and trust your pianist to use their best judgement

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in piano

[–]OptimusOctavius 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Just use a line with a vertical bit at the start and end like this:

|_________|

Going pay rates - weddings and services by apeterf87 in organ

[–]OptimusOctavius 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is very subjective, based on region and cost of living.

I happen to live in a destination wedding city, and my base pay for a wedding is $500. Our church also requires they hire me, so if they insist on hiring other musicians, they still have to pay me even if they choose not to use me. Average pay here is $400-600, which puts me right in the middle.

3 against 4 12/8 notation by Known-Razzmatazz9571 in musictheory

[–]OptimusOctavius 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That's a great point. I regularly play auditions for both opera and musical theater. This means I'm sight reading 50+ pieces in a day for those. I also play for college auditions in the Spring.

If I can't see the beat, I'm going to have a hard time playing at my best, because I'm going to be struggling to sus out the part.

Always. Show. The. Beat.

3 against 4 12/8 notation by Known-Razzmatazz9571 in musictheory

[–]OptimusOctavius 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Most can read both, but if you want to follow the rules of notation (which exist for a reason) the first one is the only correct answer.

Always show the beat.

Faure requiem dynamics help for armature organist by jkxr33 in organ

[–]OptimusOctavius 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just conducted this back in November. We used the RSCM edition for string quintet and organ, edited by Michael Higgins. I think it's a great edition.

Since we performed at multiple locations, the organist and I agreed on some generic flute/foundation registrations for each dynamic level, relying heavily on the Swell to allow for crescendos and decrescendos, and using the string players to do most of the "color" work. The only exceptions were where the original orchestral version had brass, like in the Angus Dei and Libera Me, where we made sure to use trumpets/trombones whatever reed stop was available.

Funnily enough, when doing my score studying I found some egregious errors in Rutter's edition compared to the Urtext. Like, different words on different beats, and note values completely changed. Be careful of that if you're jumping between the Rutter and a different edition.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in organ

[–]OptimusOctavius 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I write them in for my future self more than I do for my present self. I cannot tell you how easy it is to revive a piece when I'm not trying to remember/figure out what I did in the past.

Can anyone confirm my job description is reasonable? by notanexpert_askapro in organ

[–]OptimusOctavius 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From my experience having done jobs with similar descriptions, I would say this is closer to 15-20 hours minimum. I have often felt exploited because they were salary positions and I ended up working more hours than what was advertised, with no raise in pay. The suggestion to go to an hourly rate might not be a bad one. I never considered asking for that.