Classical music has always been a big part of Ikuo Nakajima's life. He never became a professional trumpeter, opting instead to become a managing engineer, but that hasn't stopped him from performing.
"There's an excitement that only an amateur orchestra can create," says the 58-year-old, who was one of the founding members of the Japan Gustav Mahler Orchestra (JMO), comprised of nonprofessional musicians. "The flawless performance of a professional orchestra is just too safe. Actually I find it a bit dispassionate and boring."
Professional musicians have the benefit of being able to practice their craft constantly, so "flawless performances" can come easy. And though Nakajima mentions a sense of "dispassion," it's likely that any pro will still profess love for what they do. When music is your hobby, though, then passion is really all that's driving you to continue.