Pit Orch Experiences

Playing in a pit orchestra is probably one of my favorite ways to experience theater. Working on shows in general is pretty fascinating to me because you get to see all of the behind the scenes shenanigans and decisions that go into the process. Most of the work that the actors and designers put in never makes it on the stage. However, the work that they put in is pretty substantial. Being in the pit instead of on stage or back stage is a pretty happy medium for me.

To start with, you’re a little removed from all of the drama, on and off stage. The pit is mostly in its own world, which is nice when you get to tech week and tensions start running high and everyone is stressed. Usually the pit gets through that ok since they don’t have nearly as much responsibility. And since you aren’t doing much for most of the show, you can get a pretty good view of the action. Having said that, I have played shows where the pit is stuck up in the lighting booth (the fact that we fit was a miracle) and where we were placed on stage. So that one could be luck of the draw.

Also you’re stuck in a pit with a few other people, everyone gets close. I’ve developed so many friendships just from working in the same pit orchestra as other people. And at least in college, usually a similar group of people works on most of the shows, so there’s a good chance that you’ll get to know the other people.

The one thing that I’m not particularly pleased about is the short end of the stick that wind players are stuck with. Pit orchestra wind books are written for several instruments, so one person could be playing clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and flute in the same show. And of course they need to master all of them. This is all while the trombone player only plays the trombone, and the violinists only get the violin. Just comparing the number of instruments being used, wind players have to put in a lot more effort than the others to master their parts. It’s also a small problem if you’re a college sax player and really just want to play sax but the part is written for clarinet. That’s the other issue, if you really want to get the desired sound that the composer wanted, you have to learn all of these other instruments.

Having said all that, being in a pit orchestra is a wonderful experience. The other musicians and everyone in the show are wonderful, and you get to experience a great work of art over and over again. I love it a lot, and would highly recommend it to any musician interested.