The Great Symphony Orchestra — A Relatively Good Place to Grow Old

Abstract

The retired musicians of one of America's great symphony orchestras were interviewed. Their careers, which began in the 1930s and 1940s, were long, with retirement sometimes occurring when they were well over seventy years old. Older players were valued for their excellence and experience and were difficult to replace. Obsolescence was not a problem, and the gradual deterioration of playing with age was generally not incompatible with working to an advanced age. Players of string instruments had longer careers than players of woodwind and brass instruments. The players liked their careers and usually cited artistic reasons and the current reputation of the orchestra for their satisfaction. Although the musicians continue to love music and listen to it after retirement, few continue to play seriously.