Klarinet Archive - Posting 000294.txt from 2001/03

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl]Conducting batons - was Off Topic-bassoon reeds
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 11:29:51 -0500

At 08:29 AM 03/12/2001 -0700, you wrote:
>Out of curiosity, I would like to find out if my reeds will play on
>other parts of the country. If so, maybe I could expand my market. Would
>any of you like to try my reeds? I'll happily send you a sample, BUT I
>would appreciate getting some feedback. I want to know if what works
>here will end up being too soft in areas that are more favorable, places
>that are lower in elevation and have higher humidity.

Richard -

Not a problem for the plug - I'll ask our bassoon teacher here at IWU if
this is something she would like to explore. Most of our students make
their own, but a few do not........

On a related topic/thread and for those double-duty conductors/clarinet
performers out there, I have begun to make and sell conducting batons -
made from domestic and exotic hardwoods. The shafts are birch, maple, or
poplar, and the handles are made from Walnut, Maple, Cherry, Birch,
Rosewood, Redheart, Purpleheart, Padouk, Zebrawood, specialty combinatons
of maple and walnut (my kids' favorites) and aromatic cedar (which is a
softwood but makes a beautiful handle - and with a lacquer finish is as
durable as the hardwoods). The batons are weighted when necessary - with a
brass piece in the handle. I'm still looking for a graphite supplier for
graphite shafts - so those aren't available yet.

Baton cases are also being designed and assembled in the next two weeks - a
wood case that folds and holds two batons (there is a four baton case as
well). These are similar in function and design to (but not exactly the
same as) both the Mollard and Newland baton cases. These will probably be
available within a month. Prices will be affordable - and I mean
affordable. The cases will NOT cost $99.99 as with the other
manufacturers. As a side note - for those who actually want to store reeds
on glass, I'll have wood reed cases with glass inserts available soon as well.

I've been fortunate to have some good conductors use the batons, and some
schools have started ordering them for conducting classes - so I feel they
are working well for people. Email me privately if you are interested in
these items - I can foward jpegs of baton examples immediately.

Best wishes,
Roger Garrett

Roger Garrett
Clarinet Professor
Director, Symphonic Winds
Advisor, IWU Recording Services
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Music
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
Phone: (309) 556-3268
Fax: (309) 556-3121

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