Pen in one hand, bow in the other

May 9, 2006 at 5:31 PM

Last month, I resigned from my corporate job.

It all started out quite nicely, some eight months previously: I looked for, and found (or so I thought) a job which would help pay my bills and then leave me time to pursue my music.

The way I figured it, I'd take an editing job that lets me punch out at 5pm. To make a long story short, things didn't quite turn out as I had expected and so I resigned... without the benefit of having secured another job for myself. *kicks self in butt*

Fortunately, my separation pay was enough to last me about a month. My emancipation from work also allowed me to join the practice sessions of our ensemble, which culminated in a modest concert at Paco Park.

Not bad!

Now I'm on the jobhunt again, and I've been pondering my resume. I'm a modestly versatile writer (I've written everything from financial news abstracts to music album reviews to corporate annual reports to comic book scripts) and a meager violinist.

I'm sure that, if I had to choose, I could excel in either field --though I would probably be able to establish myself more quickly as a writer than as a violinist, given my existing body of work.

I'm praying, however, that I don't *have* to choose. I know that a lot of other people have been able to work and provide for their families while still maintaining purposeful ties to their music.

(Sidenote: I wonder if it's somehow possible to combine my skills as a writer and a violinist? Hmmm...)

Anyway, I've already sent out my resume to prospective employers (mostly ad agencies and media companies) advertising my writing skills. I hope someone bites pretty soon...

On the music side, I'm meeting later today (Wednesday, May 10) with my ensemble friends for yet another practice session. This time, however, is particularly scary for me... We'll be having a private session and sort of informal master class with (gulp!) Rony Rogoff.

This is my first time ever to be in such a situation, and I hope things turn out well. There are big plans for the group, and I hope that I can still be a part of the ensemble if and when it takes off... in spite of whatever office job I may have by that time.

ENDNOTE: I was pleasantly surprised by a new message in my Friendster inbox from "Manuel Miguel," who introduced himself as an incoming freshman at the University of Sto. Tomas. He said that he had read and liked my blog. I wish him well and all the best of luck in his pursuit of the violin! :-)

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on May 9, 2006 at 6:58 PM

Timothy, I sympathize completely. I lost my job 4 1/2 years ago, and I have been unemployed since that time. Now I'm teaching violin, which I love, and looking for freelance work as a science writer. Good luck to both of us.

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Pen in one hand, bow in the other

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