… will I still be playing? I’m guessing so, but a lot can change in 10 years. I hope that I will know if my playing isn’t good enough. I hope I quit before people start whispering about me. (Oh dear … maybe they already are?!)

Why think on this now? I just found this:

Demotion is included in several pay and conditions agreements. The case was brought by a oboe player who was given a lesser role in his orchestra on reaching the age of 60.

RTWT (And yes, this was in Holland.)