Cruise ships offer opportunities for musicians

By: Betsy Stelzer

Posted: 4/18/08

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.

"It was exciting," he said. "You get free room and board and a chance to see the world."

Gilliland said that because of the nature of life on a cruise ship, college students are often the best targets. "Life aboard the ship is a lot like dorm life," Gilliland said. "It can be hard to have a roommate, but there is lots of travel, and most of the day is yours." Molacek said that a typical day for him consisted of waking up around 10 a.m., eating, practicing, hanging out on the ship, rehearsing and playing a concert.

As a trombonist, Molacek played in the show band and was able to spend most of the daytime at his own discretion and perform in the evenings. The schedule for solo pianists or string quartet members is different, though, as they would play lunches or day events, but Gilliland said the workload is still light compared to other crew members on the ship.

"This is a great opportunity for students," Gilliland said. "They get to save everything they've got; we provide all transportation and there are many growth opportunities." Gilliland is constantly on the prowl for new talent and encourages musicians looking for work to contact him. He can be reached by e-mail at bgilliland@princesscruises.com.