“Professional classical musicians typically string together positions in several orchestras, along with other gigs, to make a living,” writes Indiana Nash in Thursday’s (1/28) Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY). “Those orchestra jobs and gigs either disappeared or were severely cut back… at the start of the pandemic…. During this time, the Albany Symphony Orchestra, which … is a pay-per-service orchestra, set up an emergency fund for its musicians…. Some musicians have taken other jobs as contact tracers, UPS drivers, dog walkers…. [ASO violist] Dana Huyge recently turned to real estate…. For [ASO violinist] Aleksandra Labinska … the onset of the pandemic brought concerns regarding her [artist] visa…. ‘One of the requirements is that you have to show activity for the next three years, which [before the pandemic wasn’t a problem,’ … Labinska said…. They were approved at the end of May…. For now, some musicians have found work through virtual concerts. Schenectady Symphony and ASO have both hosted a few and there are others in the works…. They’ve kept people like bassist Luke Baker afloat…. ‘Since the beginning of November, every month at least I’ve had good work,’ Baker said. He’s also been teaching students virtually and has been supported by his wife, who is a nurse.”
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