I just read of the passing of Cynthia Steljes, oboist and founding member of Quartetto Gelato… I didn’t know her personally, but just a few weeks ago, I sent her a letter to tell her about a new project we are working on at MKL Reeds and to ask for her input. I am telling you that only because, for some reason, it made the announcement of her death so…
Here’s what happens to dead oboe reeds (in this case, a bassoon reed) in our house. My son really gets a kick out of this. I wish I could have so much fun when my reeds kick the bucket. 🙂
Did you set oboe goals for 2006? Have you achieved them? If you listen to any of the self-help gurus out there, you’ll find advice ranging from the simple, “you must set goals” to the contrarian, “the worst thing about setting goals is that you achieve them when you could have achieved more.” I don’t generally read self-help books like that, but my husband does. And guess who gets to…
We were driving to my grandmother’s house today for a holiday get-together when I chanced upon some production of the Nutcracker playing on the radio. One of the amazing things about music is how certain pieces can bring back a flood of memories in an instant. The first thing I thought about when I heard the Nutcracker was how sore my arm was the last time I had to play…
Have you ever read an article where some famous music teacher says words like these to the young, unsuspecting music student: “You should only choose a career in music if you love it more than anything else.” Or maybe something like this: “A career in music isn’t easy, so if you have anything else you can do, do that instead.” I read an article the other day that was loaded…
Not sure what it is about commencement speeches this week, but I keep attracting them. I was cleaning out one of my oboe closets yesterday and came across a copy of a commencement address delivered by the famous cellist, Lynn Harrell, to the graduating class of the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1994. Rather than make any comments about it, I think I’ll let it speak for itself: Commencement Address…
I talk a lot about what it was like for me to go from being a professional “student” to a professional oboe player. Like every journey, it had its ups and downs. Often times there seemed to be more downs than ups. It’s not like we are given a map or anything to make the route a little easier. Looking back, it was all for a reason. Looking back, I…
I just got done reading through the recent issue of The Double Reed and found all of the letters remembering the life of John Mack. I thought I would add mine to the mix… I went to the John Mack Oboe Camp one year and I came away with a tip that has affected my life in a very profound way – both inside and outside of music. It is…
Yesterday I was listening to the 9/16/06 NPR interview with Liang Wang, the new Principal Oboe of the New York Phil. The piece was called “Oboist Liang Wang: His Reeds Come First” and really focused on communicating just how important the art of reedmaking is to being a great oboist. Liang Wang is 26 years old and has already played in some of the greatest orchestras around. Hearing him play…
It snowed for the first time last night in Batesville. Today it’s freezing. Definitely feels like the holidays (unless you grew up in Florida, Texas or somewhere else warm :). Here’s an excerpt from a Christmas poem, Twas the Day of the Concert, we just got done putting together. We’re not selling it, but we are giving it away… Here are the first two stanzas: Twas the day of the…