 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-05-05 18:55
Me and a couple of friends will be going to the OU Symposium. I have read all the past bboard discussions about the symposium and I have read the schedule and looked at the flier a lot.
I was just wondering about how the whole thing operates exactly-I'm in high school and just want to have a memorable and information packed time!
How does the clarinet choir operate? Do they perform?
How much spending money should I bring?
What kind of and how many manufacturers are there? (clarinet, reeds, ligatures, music, etc.)
Should I participate in a masterclass?
How are the dorms?
What can I do to make the most of the experience?
Any general advice?
I look forward to hearing from you all! I'M SO EXCITED TO GO!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-05-05 19:24
Am happy to hear you and cl f[r]iends are coming, I havent been for a couple of sessions, have had "repairs" made, but plan on this one. Re: cl choir, I'm going to bring my alto cl, just in case, so come "equipped" to play and also to try out horns etc. I just had a go at Tom Ridenour's low C bass [ $2200] at Larsens, OKC, a Brook Mays, am thinking about posting my thots re: it. The flyer publicity should give at least hints on your questions, and E M's and our info here should help. I enjoy learning as audience for the masterclasses, my "caliber" is too "small" for doing it. You will find many friendly folk, Okies etc, all will "relax and enjoy". Hope we can have a "BBoard" meeting/reunion. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: The Doctor ★2017
Date: 2005-05-05 20:19
Do not know exactly how the clarinet choir works but that will be outlined once you get there. The clarinet choir does perform at the end of the symposium.
The dorms are sparse - freshman type dorms but are air conditioned and safe. The cafeteria is quite nice - right next to the dorms and there is more than enough variety and quantity of food to fit any taste.
It is about 1/3 mile walk to the performance hall from the dorms but on a flat beautifully tree lined street. Bring good walking shoes because you may make the trip 4 or 5 times per day.
There is not much night life in the area but with concerts every evening lasting to 10-11 P.M. you would have to skip them, which would be a shame, and go into the town of Norman for night life. There is not much to spend money on if you eat at the cafeteria - unless you are over 21 and go out after the concerts to the local pub.
All of the major instrument manufacturers will be there, custom mouthpiece makers, accessory mail order houses like IMS, probably WWBW, Muncey Woodwinds, Doctor's Products, and a myriad of other vendors for reeds, sheet music, accessories, etc. Bring all of your money that you can spare and choose wisely because it is like a musician's candy store. It is a good place to audition instruments.
To make the most of your experience you should try to meet new people, talk to as many clarinetists your own age to form lifelong networking, talk with the famous and infamous artists (do not bother them right before a performance however) that are very approachable in the OU casual atmosphere, and listen carefully in the master classes and performances not only to the music but the style and sound of the performers.
L. Omar Henderson
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-05-06 01:16
Thanks for the advice! I look forward to meeting you and testing out your products, Doctor! I'm going to be buying a new clarinet this summer and I will be testing out all the clarinets! Is it wise to buy it from them then, or test them out and order it via internet (wwbw, muncy), or what? I also plan on buying a new mouthpiece and ligature. I'll test those all out and again, I may wait until I get home to actually order them. Do they offer Symposium Specials on products-if they do would it be wise to buy from them there? Thank you!
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2005-05-06 02:26
I am not trying to talk you into any buying decision and only you know what your schedule and finances will permit --- BUT ---- If you are serious about buying a new horn this suummer ... Just my own opinion: I would identify an expert or professional that you trust and both of you head for your favorite clarinet manufacturer the first day and be prepared to potentially buy at that time. The manufacturers usually bring their better horns and horns that have been well tweaked to shows like this. IMHO you stand a better chance of getting a good horn at the OU show than ordering one from a mail order house. There are exceptions to these generalizations but at ClarinetFest last year there were some exceptional horns at several manufacturer's booths which I play tested, but the number dwindled quickly as they were snapped up by savvy buyers. The prices are usually very favorable at OU.
Of course the other side of the coin is to buy from a local dealer who may be able to get you a good horn too -- and you would support local business and have a sympathetic ear if you have problems with the horn.
Or, you may pay less from a noted mail order house and get a good horn - maybe.
Just some options and what I might consider if I were in the market for a new horn.
Changing a lot of variables - e.g. a new mouthpiece, ligature, etc. will tend to confuse your impressions of horns while testing them.
Addendum: The walk from the dorms to the auditorium is more like 2/3 mile.
L. Omar Henderson
Post Edited (2005-05-06 02:43)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-05-06 03:43
L. Omar Henderson wrote:
> The manufacturers usually bring their better
> horns and horns that have been well tweaked
> to shows like this.
The Doctor is correct. At the last Clarinetfest there were a number of excellent instruments brought by the different dealers and retailers. In particular, Fred Weiner brought some very nice Buffets which were expertly set up by repair tech Mark Kasten.
At the Buffet display, in the first half day - 5 different A clarinets and 3 Bb's were snapped up savvy buyers. By Saturday afternoon there was still (IMO) a really excellent Buffet Vintage A clarinet that was still available. It stood out from all the others and when I asked Chris Coppinger (one of the Buffet reps) about it he also agreed. (this particular clarinet had even been premarked/preselected and had a small identifying sticker on the barrel). I guarantee it was eventually sold by the end of the day.
It took everything for me not to pull out the credit card.
BTW - At the Buffet display some of the clarinets they brought were quite fine (as evidenced by the one R-13 Vintage A which was preselected/premarked which I quickly found) but the majority of their clarinets were not specially "set-up" and some clearly needed minor adjustments. As expected the clarinets all played with a wide range of resistances and coloration.
However, for the most part, the clarinets on display were "in the ballpark" and I'm certain, with the right tech, could be adjusted and regulated to one's liking...GBK
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-05-06 19:54
So, when you buy a clarinet there, do you have to pay for the whole thing at one time? Because I know that I won't have $2,000+ with me. More like $200. Would they be able to set up a payment plan? Also, what professional could I get to help me? It's only me and 2 of my friends who are also in high school that will be there with me. I can't wait to get a new clarinet!!!! I think the OU Symposium would be the perfect place to buy one from!
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2005-05-06 22:44
I know that several of the mail order houses have payment plans. Some will be there at OU. Unless you are pretty experienced and an advanced player IMHO it would be better to have a professional audition horns for you. I am sure that you could arrange to pay a professional present at OU a small fee to do this for you - or they may do it for free! You of course have to make the ultimate decision about what feels right for you and what sounds good to you. The professional can only give you their opinion, gained from their own experience, about what they consider to be a good horn at that moment or one which has the potential with tweaking to be an exceptional horn. These are just my suggestions of an approach IMHO which stands a better chance of netting you a horn that will be the vehicle for future development - you of course are the driver and your actions will determine the outcome of the race.
L. Omar Henderson
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