In an attempt to reach out to overcommitted musicians and bolster the program, Augustana orchestra directors have decided to encourage participation by paying wind players to perform with the group.

As many of the wind players already participate in band, jazz band or other ensembles, one of the biggest obstacles musicians face is finding time to play. 

As a result, the department of performing and visual arts has instated a $1,000 yearly stipend for first and second chair woodwind, brass and percussion musicians. 

"We just can't get students to commit to orchestra because they're so stretched for time," Performing and Visual Arts Chair Ivan Fuller said. "Well, time is money, and if we give money to people, that helps people commit to extra hours during the week."

"The reason this was set up is because it's difficult to get the best students to commit to performing in the orchestra because the best students are in many different ensembles," Fuller said.  "In orchestra, because the level of music is so difficult, you need musicians who are capable of playing it."

Other colleges, such as Luther and St. Olaf, have stipend programs similar to the one initiated by Augustana. They have seen their student orchestras grow in number and improve in quality.

These more developed programs have even taken large trips to perform in places such as the Vienna Konzerthaus and the Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, Austria.

Still, string players, who do not receive this stipend, feel that paying the wind players might not be the best move for the orchestra to make.

One student source from the music department said, "The string players who make up the core of the orchestra aren't paid the same way the wind players are.  They wanted to offer incentives for people to be dedicated to orchestra, but it doesn't work because the first and second chair wind players are overcommitted already and can't fully commit the time to that position anyway."

While many of the wind players already have Pro Musica Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for playing in the band, orchestra director and Professor Christopher Stanichar feels the stipend is a fair way to compensate them for their extended efforts, even going so far as to fund one of the positions himself.

"We have a lot of fantastic wind players, but their scholarships tie them to play in the band, as it should be, but they're overcommitted," he said. "It's something that says that we really appreciate what the wind players are doing."

With regard to fair compensation, Fuller feels that paying the wind section is a way to balance the involvement of all musicians. 

"A lot of these top string players are already on scholarships, so technically are getting paid for their efforts," Fuller said. "I'm sure that if the band suddenly needed string players, they would be throwing money at the string players to get them."

Both Stanichar and Fuller see the decision to pay the orchestra's wind section as a move that will bring a new level of success to the hard working men and women of the orchestra.

"You know that old scripture verse about how you can't hide your candle under a bushel?" Stanichar asked, "Well this is our candle and we need to show it.  Sometimes it takes a little investment to keep that flame going."