Classical Music "Take" on San Antonio??? (Columbus: middle schools, price)

[Shookie]

Hello!
My husband and I are considering a move to SA for a fulltime church music position for him. I would be looking for adjunct faculty voice teaching, private teaching and my own part-time church position. Can folks give me a very frank picture of the classical music culture there? The reason I said "frank" is that before our last move (to Columbus, OH, where we are now) I asked folks about opportunity. I was told it would be very easy to build up a private studio--but it's been very slow (the economy doesn't help, of course). But what I WASN'T told was that folks in the area are VERY wary of outsiders--especially anyone coming from the northeast. It's actually a bit comical because I am originally from the midwest, but it doesn't feel good to be held at arm's length or denied opportunities because I'm not from here.
Would I run into that in San Antonio?
Thanks for any replies/advice!

[Drzy]

Having some experience with both cities, I think they're about the same in terms of how people are welcomed.

It really depends on the perception of the individual moving in. Hopefully I'm not making it sound like it's "your fault," but if you didn't feel welcomed in Columbus, you probably won't here either. Both cities are large cities with a large number of welcoming (and some non-welcoming) people, so the two overwhelming possibilities are...

1. You just hit a bad patch of people in Columbus. Or,
2. You felt like people weren't welcoming you, even though they were.

For more views on whether or not San Antonio is welcoming, search some past topics here in the forum... the topic comes up pretty frequently, and there's a wide variety of opinions.

Sorry I can't answer your main question about the classical music culture. Best of luck!

[Chaka]

SA is a very welcoming place. It's fast growing with many newcomers, so you won't be the only person 'from somewhere else.' I'm not a native and have adjusted nicely over the years. Just depends on you, really.

As for the classical music culture, that's a bit more difficult. We do have a vibrant arts community, but honestly it's a lot smaller than one would expect for a city of this size. I think as far as classical music, there's just limited exposure and a misperception about it, so many 'regular' folks are not inclined towards it.

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by Shookie

Hello!
My husband and I are considering a move to SA for a fulltime church music position for him. I would be looking for adjunct faculty voice teaching, private teaching and my own part-time church position. Can folks give me a very frank picture of the classical music culture there? The reason I said "frank" is that before our last move (to Columbus, OH, where we are now) I asked folks about opportunity. I was told it would be very easy to build up a private studio--but it's been very slow (the economy doesn't help, of course). But what I WASN'T told was that folks in the area are VERY wary of outsiders--especially anyone coming from the northeast. It's actually a bit comical because I am originally from the midwest, but it doesn't feel good to be held at arm's length or denied opportunities because I'm not from here.
Would I run into that in San Antonio?
Thanks for any replies/advice!

Do you speak Spanish?

[yosoyway]

I think that as far as private lessons for classical music you might find a few students.

Most of the local middle schools and high schools in NISD and NEISD have orchestra classes. Some students hire private tutors.

Some of these tutors tend to be on the pricey side.

But I don't know if that's what you do.