I just came back from one suprisingly dinamic 2 week "summer vacation" in Croatia.
During this two weeks I met with many musicians, my dear colleges/ friends/ ex- teachers, some of them being already severely affirmed and succesfull. I could mention them as my musician role models.
After almost one and a half year of COVID-19 restricitons on the area of performance arts, the lack of live concerts and possiblities of making money on their musicianship- I realised in their statements and attitute that they are in "burnout" and that they are having a really hard time. This situation is already on for a very long time, and this wonderfull talented people completely grew numb and don't see the end of it.
Situation in Croatia is somehow, let's say, OK. The coffee places are opened outside since March, concerts and exibitions are on in special regulations and restrictions. It is probably due to Croatia' s BDP depending completely on turism. On the other hand, in contries like Germany, Austria, France and others, the situation is much worse- and they started to ease restrictions maybe some weeks ago-after a long time.
My very close guitar player friend, an assistant teacher on one Academy in Croatia, that finishes postgraduate studies in Germany, very succesfully affirmed in Croatia since she graduated some years ago- feels pressure by not knowing how to plan her future- should she go abroad or come back to Croatia?
Violin player friend, extremelly talented (succesfully passess each audition she applies for) is slowly letting go of an idea to continue Konzertexamen ( the highest degree of instrument performance education) and bitterly tells that she will come back to Croatia and "...probably play on the street..."
My former college professor, a freelance artist (living solely on honorars) one of the most complete artists I’ve worked with (even though he’s quite young), who has extremely opened mind for music, goes into the depth and core of things and inspires his students- says that his COVID pause was good, that he didn't have to travel anywhere, that he didn't feel guilty because no one around him practiced, that he finally started to deal with himself ... but he still indirectly emphasizes to me on the meeting that "... you have a job ... !! "
One other university teacher, first flute of the Philharmonic orchestra in the capital city recently confessed that she needed to raise a loan to pay utilities.
One other college that left to study postgraduate degree in Vienna told me that she has a feeling that she is wasting her life- she is paying extremelly high rent in Vienna, no possilbities to perform to get some money, the classess had been cancelled and she regrets not working instead.
My very close friend and flute college that studies in Germany told me in trust that, after one year of hard life circumstances and working with some mini jobs and no performing, she decided to ask for a help from psychologist. I am absolutely supporting her with this idea- knowing personally how some stuff in life can be very hard to get over from.
I understand their bitterness. Not be able to perform live and present your work and live from it is very hard to accept and understand. Online lessons, masterclassess and concerts cannot replace the real sound in the space and vibrations that person feels after listening to it.
Most freelance artists, except finances, miss feedback segment from the audience- and I can see that many of them feels relieved after someone giving them endorsement for their work, directly or indirectly- no matter how affirmed they have been until now.
Most very succesful musicians are very aware that many people look on them like their role models- so they feel special kind of pressure- resulting them feeling the burden to support their musician society on the proper way, even tho themselves fighting with their own negative thoughts. Patterns of the life from many of them have been seriously shaken, and in the worst moments they are no longer even sure how meaningful this whole music industry is anymore.
Very often freelance artists are people who have voluntarily postponed the need to start a family, living from fee to fee. In such circumstances, when there is no opportunity to earn a fee and the opportunity to do their job, such individuals simply have nowhere to turn. If they are lucky, they are surrounded by friends who are in the same situations so they can socialize and understand each other, but it is certainly difficult for them when they see other colleagues with their families and children (especially if they love children and want to have their own!)
The situation is also very ungrateful for starting a family and dealing with family life - if you do not have a person to plan a family with, but you have a desire to find one - such a person is extremely difficult to find in these distant times.
This actually closes the vicious circle even more.
Independent artists, the most established among us, are also the people who in these times need our support and understanding, which needs to be thoughtfully and subtly shown from person to person. Since they are frustrated or, even worse, sad and disappointed - it is possible that they might overreact - but they should not be given up. If you can help them in any way, help. The slightest word of affirmation, gratitude, appreciation of their effort and work, and their qualities can really dispel the dark clouds in their heads and make the situation easier.
Certainly any help is welcome, in the form of engagement in a small concert, masterclass, even if you ask them for advice and presentation of their experience.
Suprisingly, the very fact that their experience and their own understanding of the situation helped a young person get through difficult moments has an extremely psychological positive effect on them.
Artists who live music need very little to get back on track and continue to inspire others and feel their purpose. Remember that and show them that you appreciate them! It will come back to you many times over :)
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