How is a Special Event like a Performance?

This year at Curtis, I have the added responsibility -- in addition to the grantwriting -- of running the Curtis Crescendo Club along with my friend and colleague Trish Furman. The Crescendo Club's goal is to build interest in and support for Curtis among Philadelphia's young professionals. 

Dan McDougall, Double Bass

Big thanks to Dan, my colleague at Curtis and the Bach Choir and our first non-double reed interviewee! Dan has lived a "double life" for pretty much his entire career, and he teaches the Curtis students' career development class, so he is an expert. Enjoy!  --AM

Dan McDougall, double bassist, freelances along the East Coast playing with ensembles including the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, Philly Pops, Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Bach Choir of Bethlehem, and Delaware Symphony, to name a few.

Dan is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Roger Scott. Dan has worked at Curtis for nearly twenty years in various administrative roles; he is currently Human Resources Assistant. He has also served on Curtis faculty for ten years and teaches the "21st Century Musician" course to all instrumental undergrads. (Photo by L. C. Kelley)

  When did you start with your other work outside of performing?

I always had another job, even when I was a student. I’ve always been a doer and I say yes to everything. So even as a Curtis student, I performed in operas as an actor, or playing keyboard. I tried to stretch what I was doing because I knew that if I just played bass all day that I’d be bored to tears. You know what bass parts are like, and I knew that wouldn’t be enough for me early on, so I always diversified what I did.