Musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra: strategies for permanence and mobility of positions in the profession of orchestral performer in Paraguay

Abstract

The National Symphony Orchestra (OSN) is the first state symphonic group in Paraguay, it is made up of approximately 55 musicians (OSN, 2022). The objective of the work was to describe the strategies of the interviewed musicians to participate within the field of Paraguayan professional classical music. The methodology used was a qualitative approach and a descriptive design. The techniques were semi-structured interviews and documentary review, the instruments developed were the interview guide and an analysis matrix. The results indicate that the main strategies for permanence and mobility within the profession revolve around its great competitiveness and job insecurity. In this sense, continuous training is a strategy for permanence and mobility in the face of the great competitiveness of the sector. On the other hand, the acceptance of job insecurity appears as a way to remain in the field in the absence of better job opportunities. At the same time, the union association emerges as a collective strategy in the fight for the improvement of working conditions.