I was wondering-how many of you who are in professional orchestras also have other non-musical jobs?If so,what kind of job do you have?Or how many other jobs do you have?How do you make it work with your music and how does your boss work with you?

My day job is as a graphic designer for a very awesome company...which is why i am probably not working hard enough to make music a full time gig. Right now, the majoriy of my music gigs are things i choose to play with people i get along with and know.

So far I haven't had conflicts with my day job and music gigs...but that's what personal/vacation time is for. I've never been turned down for time off yet for any reason, but I think I might be in the minority about have a great creative day job that has bosses who understand you have a life outside of that day job.

I work as a mental health counselor at a social services agency.

Most of my work has been music related, but in the past I've talked with a few friends who left the music field, only to go back to it after working in the "real world" (ie, computers). Even though I could potentially make more money if I had gotten a "real job" at some point (yes, being a working musician is real work, but you know what I mean), I've always just been paranoid to seek another line of work. I've only had a few non-music odd & end jobs here & there. But mainly, I'd have to learn something completely different, &/or start at the totem pole at some job. I have just never given up music for, I guess, a phobia that I might not go back to it seriously later on, & then regret it. I knew I would regret it, so that was a red flag for me.

On the flip side, I know & know of many musicians that still do another line of work that they do enjoy on the side. I think this is a good option for people to have so that they can enjoy the best of both worlds without getting burned out too much on one or the other (depending on how much the individual wants to be involed in music, of course).

Nicole, that's awesome that your company is flexible!