Two things especially jumped out at me on the Entrepreneur the Arts site: their aim to “tap into the power of creative artistry to innovate lives, bottom lines, and the communities we live in,” and their commitment to helping artists build more fulfilling careers through entrepreneurship. These two ideas resonate deeply with me simply because THEY WORK! Over the past 3 years, we’ve seen the benefits of artistic entrepreneurship and a community focus come alive here at Summerglen. Andrew and I are definitely well-fed, happy artists…and the ETA website shows you how you can be one, too!

Here’s a sampling of some of the helpful articles over at ETA:
Identifying Your Ideal Client

How to Be a Thriving Artist in this Economy

13 Steps to a Happy Artistic Life

Hope you enjoy these articles as much as I did. Many thanks to Entrepreneur the Arts for your support of working artists!

Without even knowing it, this lady had answered her own question! The best professionals in any field–be it music, finance, or science–make it a point to continually expand their knowledge and understanding. We don’t rest on the degrees, certificates, or experience we gained several years back; rather, we continue to grow as much as we can, for as long as we can.

This brief conversation with the band parent made me think about why I continue to study and practice. Here are some of the reasons I came up with:

1. I respect my students. – My students come to me to learn how to grow as musicians. It’s much easier to help someone grow when you are growing yourself.

2. I respect the music. – I don’t want to be one of those unprepared musicians who makes Beethoven roll over in his grave. I’d rather give a performance (or coach a student toward giving a performance) that would make the composer proud.

3. Practice makes easier. – When I take the time to thoroughly study my scores before band class, my ability to help my students grows, and our rehearsals become more enjoyable and efficient. Likewise, when I practice technique, playing trombone becomes easier and more fun. And who doesn’t like fun?

4. I love music! I honestly can’t get enough information about musical styles, composers, trends, innovation, history, etc. I study because I love what I do!

How about you? What makes you continue studying and practicing music, even if you’re already pretty good at it? What are your favorite musical topics to study?

Here’s a countdown of ten defining strengths that successful professional musicians have:

10. We know our stuff thoroughly. – Most professional musicians have gone through years of rigorous training, plus several more years of intense experience on the bandstand, plus ongoing daily practice. We bring this experience with us every time we take the stage.

9. We’re trained to entertain. – Our job isn’t to sit and play; it’s to show people a great time! A pro musician’s full-time job is to help people enjoy themselves; we are like those squeezy stress balls, but slightly louder and more danceable.

8. We think outside the box. – This is related to #9; we want you to have fun, so we’ll find creative ways to entertain you. Ask me about the time I stuck a bow on my head and played “Happy Birthday” to an officeful of surprised cabinet salespeople!

7. We are notoriously punctual. – The last time I played a wedding gig, our quintet beat the bride to the church. Pros arrive early not just to set up, but to give our already-busy clients one less thing to worry about.

6. We focus on you. – Often, your show is the only responsibility we have all day. A full-time pro won’t come to play your wedding worrying about a deadline for her day job; she’ll arrive (early) focused on playing beautifully.

5. The show must go on! – This isn’t just a popular saying; it’s a way of life for pro musicians. Professionals won’t back out of playing your party at the last minute and “hope you’ll understand.”

4. Pros protect you with contracts. – We don’t just say that the show will go on, we put it in writing!

3. We infuse our performances with detailed understanding. – Pro musicians not only perform; they understand the theory, history, and conventions of a variety of musical styles. We can communicate the quiet longing of Tchaikovsky or the easy swing of Ellington, because we’ve spent so much time with these guys in our studies.

2. We’re proud of what we do (so we’ll be sure to do it well). – Professional musicians have an intimate relationship with their art form and a personal commitment to playing well. With less serious musicians, a performance may be hit-or-miss. But pros will do whatever it takes to deliver excellent work.

1. The stakes are high, and pros rise to the challenge. – Ask any professional musician and they’d agree: if we didn’t do the nine things listed above to the best of our ability, we wouldn’t be working in this business for long. Pros rise to the challenge, but it’s the audience who reaps the rewards!

Reading this list makes me proud to count myself as a professional musician, and even prouder to be teaching young trombonists these skills each day. Are you working on developing the strengths necessary to become a working musician? What can you do today to build your skills?