There is life after music school by Marilyn Bone Kloss, Cornucopia, March 2001

What do a flute manufacturer, a hardware engineer, and a software technical writer have in common? Since they are mentioned in this periodical, you can assume that they are all horn players. But they also all earned degrees in music and later turned to engineering for earning their livings in the real world.

Jim Phelan, Bob Moffett, and Marilyn Kloss all attended music schools intending to become professional horn players. But in the reality of the working world, they turned to technical skills for their professions, while still retaining their love of music and horn playing.

"I started at Boston Conservatory and finished at NEC," recalls Jim. "Later I studied math and physics at night at Northeastern. Finally I sold my interest in a flutemaking company and studied full-time to finish a degree in mechanical engineering."

Marilyn earned BME and MM degrees at Indiana University. "Years later, I earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at Northeastern while working at Raytheon Company."

Bob maintained a dual education from the beginning. He earned a BM in horn and a BS in electrical engineering from Wichita State. "I later attended NEC for two years, then studied privately with Charles Kavalovski."

Naturally, for people working a day job, finding time to practice can be a struggle.

"I'm lucky that my neighbors are tolerant," says Marilyn. "But I'm careful never to practice early or late. I'm also lucky that I work close to home. I walk to work and home for lunch. Warming up before lunch helps with practicing or rehearsing in the evening."

Bob's problem, with work, orchestra, and family life, is finding enough time in the day. "It's simple -- I give up sleep. I practice after the kids are in bed. I'm up at 5:20 to beat rush hour traffic. My family has learned to sleep through most everything. "

Jim also works his practice time in around family life. "Like Bob, I find time at the beginning and end of the day. I take my horn on business trips and always make time to practice in the hotel room or in a hall."

All three play in community orchestras and love the wide range of repertoire performed. Music is still central to their lives, and they all appreciate having studied music in college and played professionally, however briefly.

A longer version of this article (with photos) appears in the May 2201 issue of the Horn Call.

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