Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2007-07-17 02:58
Well, with a setup like that, how can I not respond?
Indeed, the Mighty Mr. Matovich found his way to Coshocton, Ohio (no mean feat), not once, but twice, this past month, to my extreme pleasure and benefit.
And I am gratified to report that, as a result, I am no longer a reed-making virgin. The deed has been done -- I have tied (several) and scraped (one) playable reed, all by myself, under Craig's magnificent tutelage. And, for what it's worth (eat your hearts out!) the VERY FIRST reed I scraped was playable. (Of course, the second one split before I even got the tip roughed in, but I was nonetheless smitten with the whole process and see myself riding off into the sunset on a cloud of bamboo dust and knife filings, crowing perfect "Cs" as I go.)
For the information of all boardfolk, Craig, besides being a stunningly good oboist, is a gifted teacher, energizing conversationalist, and a delightful houseguest. If he ever volunteers to stay at your house, do accept! Do not, however, plan to get much sleep. Plan to be tying reeds with your morning coffee (Craig likes to make reeds before breakfast . . .), playing duets until midnight, and solving all the problems of the world, oboe-related and otherwise, until the wee hours. This is called "making the most of your time," I think. But as far as I was concerned, we had a ball. He even got along with my husband, who is, shall we say, not always a warm and fuzzy person.
The Coshocton County Community Band was honored to have Craig sit in, in the absence of our "other" oboist (who conveniently chose that particular Friday to go on vacation). He bailed me out big time on an arrangement of "Danny Boy" that demanded a single oboist to begin pianissimo on a low D, totally exposed, at the outset of the piece.
It is not too much to say that Craig's visit was a life-changing experience for me -- at least, for the (considerable) part of my life that relates to playing the oboe. It was like a marathon personal masterclass, and it will take me probably the rest of the year to "unpack" all the information and suggestions he left with me. I am sure I will be writing more about this as the months unfold.
Craig, a thousand thanks. Come back anytime.
Susan
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