Prompt Post #3: An Interview with Ralph Skiano

Ralphskiano.com

         The music world is one the most competitive job fields in our society today. Classical music or any form of music that is not “Top 40” or mainstream is even more difficult to make a successful career out of. In some respects orchestras, operas, musicals, and even big band jazz ensembles are considered a dying art. However this does not discourage aspiring musicians to continue along this path in the classical world of music wherever it may take them. One musician, in particular, has truly made a nice career in music, Ralph Skiano. Ralph is a classical clarinetist and is currently the principal chair in the world renowned Detroit Symphony Orchestra. This past week I had an interview with Ralph Skiano about how to be successful in the field of music. He graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music with a BM in Clarinet Performance in 2002. Ralph is one of the rare musicians in the classical field to get a job right out of college. His first job was the principal chair of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. He’s performed and acquired some other side jobs that we’ve talked about later on in the interview. The reason why I chose Ralph Skiano was because I knew him beforehand from playing in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles in rehearsals with him. He also plays the same instrument as me and he relatively young and new in the music world so it’d be easier to relate to him because he’s modern day classical musician which I hope to become someday.

         In the interview I discussed with Ralph four main topics: Networking, jobs, auditions, and advice for young musicians. Before conducting the interview I did some background research on him and I came across his website so in the beginning of the interview I focused networking, specifically his website. Some questions I asked Ralph were “Was networking your main priority?”, “What was the main use for your website?”, and “Do you still use your website as the main source of your networking?” Ralph replied that he didn’t use his website as much because he got his first job right when he got out of Cincinnati Conservatory so networking a main priority. Currently he still does not use it as much but in the interview he said he uses it as a “landing site”. He put reviews about himself on his website so that way when people go looking for him they will his website and the reviews about him. This is his way of controlling what the media says about his musical career. In the future Ralph also said he would use his website as a way to help composers get their arrangements out in the world and reach out to music students trying to find their way in the music job field.

          Next I talked about the audition process which was short but very useful. When I was talking to Ralph about this topic time management kept popping up. He said along with practicing his repertoire for orchestras he was also trying to squeeze time in to prepare for auditions which can become quite difficult. On top of that auditions can be quite expensive. Ralph told me that all expenses for an audition are out of pocket and on top of that you’re missing a couple days of work. So in the end, auditions are “high risk-high reward” endeavors.

         Our next topics was side Jobs. I asked him questions such as, “Did you use side jobs as a source of income?”, “What groups did you play?” Ralph Skiano played in the Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Festivals in France, and summer festivals such as the Britt Music Festival. Also Ralph Skiano said did not use these side groups as a source of income but instead as a source of inspiration and way to stay relevant in the music world.

         We finished off the interview with advice and tips for young musicians. Ralph told me that a good teacher, experience, and listening is what a student should worried about in the early years of their career. He especially emphasized the teacher aspect because what students learn from their teachers is what they’re going to do in the auditions. The style of the repertoire, technique, and overall musicianship derives from teacher and there are multiple ways of teaching. In fact, in the finals of the audition the judges will look at the applicant's resume and also who was their teacher. Experience is not only performance experience but also going to view live performances is key to a musician's success. This ties with the final concept of listening. Ralph says when practicing or spectating listen for new things. It will help you engage your brain to think of the piece in a new way expanding your overall musical intellect.

The Top Five Habits that Every Musician Needs

        As a musician developing our craft is the main goal in the end.  However along with mastering our craft a musician must learn to develop other habits as well.  A few weeks ago I worked with a team of music majors and we have decided on five habits that every musician should develop in the video below.

         From the video you just watched my team and I stated that networking, goal setting, time management, practicing, and "engaging your creativity" are the top five skills a musician needs in order to be successful.  They are ranked by priority starting with Number 5: networking.

         Networking is all about getting your name out in the world.  In society today, there are tons of unknown artists that are very talented but to make the right the connections.  Connections in music can be easily made in all sorts of ways.  For example, going to summer music festivals/camps are a great way for young musicians to start making connections. This is because usually the people who run or own these events can open a whole new branch of opportunities that were not tangible in your current social status.  Also your music teachers are a rich source of networking because they have been in the music world for years and are more than likely to know a lot of people that can help you get a job in the near future.  Even more simple than teachers are your colleagues and friends in music.  You never know when you're going to need them down the line because maybe they're the ones sitting behind the table interviewing you for a job.  Essentially, networking is a skill that has more of an accumulative effect on your career therefore the sooner you start the better off you will be in the long run.

         Goal setting and time management.  The reason why I am explaining them together is because they work really well together.  As a musician time management is extremely crucial.  Auditioning, performing, practicing, free lancing, networking, etc. they all take a good portion of time.  Finding the balance between everything can sometimes become overwhelming.  This is where goal setting becomes your best friend.  Not just regular goal setting but S.M.A.R.T. goal setting.  S.M.A.R.T. stands for: Specific, Time Manageable, Achievable, Relevant (not in acronym order).  Specific means to keep it clear and very precise.  For example, "I am going to practice the Weber Clarinet Concerto movement one".  Not only did I say I was going to practice the solo, but specific the section I would practice in the solo.  Next is Time Manageable.  Every goal needs a deadline so that way you are more motivated to find an efficient and time affordable way to successfully achieve the goal.  Achievable.  Achievable refers to if you are able to complete the goal with the current resources and time allotted to you.  If you make a goal that is far beyond your abilities not only are you making life hard for you but you are also wasting time in a goal that could be used to complete other goals.  Finally, relevancy.  Relevancy, in my opinion, is the most important part of S.M.A.R.T. because whats the point achieving the goal if doesn't improve any aspect of your life.  From a musician perspective, how does this goal improve your skills?  Will increase your chances of landing the job?  These questions are important to ask yourself because time is moving forward and its not waiting for you to make irrelevant decisions.  No matter how big or small the goal is be smart.  This skill will not only bring time balance but develops a system of discipline to get jobs done which every employer looks for in a person.

         Practicing.  This one is pretty explanatory.  Pretty much you must PRACTICE PRACTICE AND PRACTICE!!!!!!!!  There's no way you can become a better musician if you do not practice.  If the music is giving you issues practice extremely slow to the point it bothers you how slow you're practicing.  This skill is the bread and butter to a musician and must be treated with great care because in the end when you're not practicing there is someone else who is and little by little getting better than you.

         Finally, engaging your creativity.  I made this skill number one because this where you make your signature as a musician.  As shown in the video, this skill doesn't have an example to it because there's no standard for creativity.  Through practicing, goal setting, time management, and networking its all about getting creative.  It's something that can only be found within yourself.   What's that one thing that makes you different from the rest of musicians out there?  What's going to be the defining motif of how you played the solo compared to how the hundreds of other musicians played it?  Find the creative voice inside of you and use it to make your imprint onto the musical world.