Spring Break
Cruise ships offer opportunities for musicians
Betsy Stelzer
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE
Musicians wanting to make music without losing money need only look to the sea for guidance. The cruise ship industry is growing, and the demand for experienced players is growing with it.
Brian Gilliland, music services specialist for Princess/Cunard Cruise Lines, is excited about the new direction the industry is taking and is ready to share the wealth. The Princess/Cunard ships that once provided dance bands and lounge music are expanding their horizons to find new ways to improve the passenger experience. "We are no longer waltzing our way through the Caribbean," Gilliland said. "This isn't your grandmother's cruise." The shows, the stages and the diversity of bands are steadily expanding into an entertainment market that "rivals Las Vegas and New York," Gilliland said. Now, he is looking for musicians with strong sight-reading skills and the chops to play anything from jazz to rock 'n roll and country to funk.
Gilliland is constantly on the hunt for musicians to fill house bands, cover bands, night club groups, string quartets and many more, and there are still openings available. "Between our three cruise lines, there are over 500 year-round musician positions to fill," Gilliland said. Princess/Cunard Cruise Lines is also piloting a program for 2008 - a house band that can do more performing on its own in nightclub areas. For this group, he needs guitar, bass and piano players who can sing a little backup, as well as a singer to front the band. "It is an exciting, but daunting prospect," he said. Gilliland said though he is excited about the changes being made, he needs a bank of capable musicians to fill the 23 vessels that Princess/Cunard currently operates. Gilliland has visited NT several times to recruit. As an NT alumnus, he knows the reputation the school has for turning out capable and versatile musicians.
Omaha, Neb., graduate student Derek Molacek began working for the Princess/Cunard in the winter of 2005 after auditioning at NT with Gilliland.
Brian Gilliland, music services specialist for Princess/Cunard Cruise Lines, is excited about the new direction the industry is taking and is ready to share the wealth. The Princess/Cunard ships that once provided dance bands and lounge music are expanding their horizons to find new ways to improve the passenger experience. "We are no longer waltzing our way through the Caribbean," Gilliland said. "This isn't your grandmother's cruise." The shows, the stages and the diversity of bands are steadily expanding into an entertainment market that "rivals Las Vegas and New York," Gilliland said. Now, he is looking for musicians with strong sight-reading skills and the chops to play anything from jazz to rock 'n roll and country to funk.
Gilliland is constantly on the hunt for musicians to fill house bands, cover bands, night club groups, string quartets and many more, and there are still openings available. "Between our three cruise lines, there are over 500 year-round musician positions to fill," Gilliland said. Princess/Cunard Cruise Lines is also piloting a program for 2008 - a house band that can do more performing on its own in nightclub areas. For this group, he needs guitar, bass and piano players who can sing a little backup, as well as a singer to front the band. "It is an exciting, but daunting prospect," he said. Gilliland said though he is excited about the changes being made, he needs a bank of capable musicians to fill the 23 vessels that Princess/Cunard currently operates. Gilliland has visited NT several times to recruit. As an NT alumnus, he knows the reputation the school has for turning out capable and versatile musicians.
Omaha, Neb., graduate student Derek Molacek began working for the Princess/Cunard in the winter of 2005 after auditioning at NT with Gilliland.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 14
Emil Nikolov
posted 7/11/08 @ 1:32 PM CST
I am Emil Nikolov and I am a guitarist from Sofia, Bulgaria. I'm interested in exactly this kind of job. I'd like to inform you that I have worked for many cruise lines, including American. (Continued…)
Royal Caribbean
posted 8/20/08 @ 9:25 AM CST
I am not a musician but I am really interested in other cruise ships opportunities. What are the chances for a regular student like me to get on a cruise ship? Are there any other offers available?
Arthur
posted 9/08/08 @ 3:39 AM CST
HI I`am Blues-jazz Vibrophonist ( Vibes) from Lebanon.I`am intrested to work in your world famious cruis`s in that field individualy or with a band. Iam have been worked famious restaurents like bluenote cafe etc . (Continued…)
Angelo Orduña
posted 1/02/09 @ 1:16 AM CST
Hello. I am Angelo Orduña from Philippines and I'm interested working with you on a cruise ship.
I'm a musician by profession. I teach music on some music schools here in the Philippines, and I'm a Bassist/Drummer and sometimes, I play acoustic guitar. (Continued…)
Jonathan
posted 1/29/09 @ 7:19 AM CST
hi there, my name is Jonathan and im from South Africa... I've been performing on stage in Pubs, Clubs, Corporated gig's, Festivals, Shows, etc for the past 16 years as a solo artist and frontman for many bands. (Continued…)
Oleg
posted 2/01/09 @ 3:01 PM CST
Hello. My name is Oleg. I am from Ukraine. I play on clarinet and saxophone. I am defently looking for this kind of job. I am more like a classical proffesional musician. (Continued…)
Emil Daskalov
posted 3/01/09 @ 5:58 PM CST
Iam Emil Daskalov bassist from Washington Dc Metro Area.Rockville MD
I looking for cruise Ship work.
Party band (quartet),trio or duo .Play all stiles,smoot to contemporary jazz. (Continued…)
alum
posted 3/02/09 @ 3:59 PM CST
They say a man should always dress for the job he wants
So why am I dressed up like a pirate in this restaurant
It's all because some hacker stole my identity
Now I'm in here every evening serving chowder and ice tea
Should'a gone to free credit report dot com [wee haw]
I could'a seen this comin' at me like an atom bomb
They monitor your credit and send you e-mail alerts
So you don't end up selling fish to tourists in t-shirts
:)
Havok
posted 3/02/09 @ 5:46 PM CST
Hello. I am Havok. I from the Iceland. I play the kazoo and like job on you boat.
Todd
posted 3/03/09 @ 8:29 AM CST
I think that the NT Daily site has fallen victim to crowdsourcing. I'm not quite sure of the benefits gained by the people who are paying the people who are posting, though. (Continued…)
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