The Janitor Musician

It's great to be considered a well-rounded kind of musician who can be useful in various musical functions, but sometimes, I feel more like a janitor than a musician.

For example, compare the following scenarios:

• There is a spill in the cafeteria. Call the janitor.
• The trash bins are overflowing. Where is the janitor?
• Why are there no more paper towels in the restrooms? Call the janitor.

• I need an accompanist for service this Sunday. Call Jessica.
• I need a studio accompanist for company class next week. Call Jessica.
• Who can I get to accompany the violin recital? Maybe Jessica can.
• I need a keyboardist for the summer conference. Call Jessica.
• How does this hymn go again? Jessica, can you play it?
• I can't accompany so many vocalists. Jessica, can you take some?
• My pianist just became ill. Can you play for the choir this Sunday?
• We would love to have handbells for the Christmas service. Call Jessica.
• Who can we get to play music at our wedding? Ask Jessica.

I could go on forever, but you get the point. All-purpose musicians get used the most and appreciated the least. Their skills are taken forgranted (just like sound technicians). Why do I feel like an every-day, all-purpose musician that people can pull from the shelf and use whenever they need?

Nor am I the only one. Many musicians like me go unappreciated all the time. That is the reason why there are so many of us non-elite, freelance, working-class musicians. Who would be inspired to reach for higher achievements when they are treated like this?