I have always found the parallels between my former profession—a professional musician performing in orchestras—and that of a member of a professional sports team fascinating. The adage that “There’s no ‘i’ in team,” is just as applicable to ninety professional instrumentalists performing on a stage or in a pit as it is to nine Major League Baseball players on the field, in the dugout or bullpen, or running the bases.
There will always be a place for Principal players leading orchestra sections and playing solos, just as baseball fans will always be drawn to the game by ace pitchers and marquis faces of franchises.But the success of any team—of musicians or athletes—depends upon the depth of the section or roster as well as the ability of the various personnel to coordinate their efforts.
When one hears or witnesses true teamwork in a concert hall, opera house, or at the ballpark, in real time, there is nothing more exciting. That’s why, most of the time, I find it much more exciting to witness a well-executed triple play than to watch a solo home run.
The essays here tend to focus on the concept of teamwork. My writing is informed and influenced by the thirty-one seasons I performed as Second Oboe with the MET Orchestra and my having been a full-season ticket holder at Citi Field, seeing most New York Mets home games, since 2005.
Perfect Pitch 