Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2011-01-08 11:53
I have just arrived back from our annual summer music camp which is for musicians from all walks of life - retired players, teachers, current performers, students, families, adult beginners, etc. It is an amazing environment to be in given the variation in backgrounds and experience. It is mostly sightreading through as much music as possible, in two orchestras and many chamber ensembles.
This was my third camp. At my first, I managed to sit on the third oboe part for Water Music, and sounded only slightly like an oboe. Last year I played in the second orchestra several times and played in a couple of chamber music sessions, mostly playing second.
This was my first year with the Marigaux and also my first camp after a year of solid playing. I sat first in the second orchestra, playing some great oboe parts (Dvorak Slavonic Dance No.7, Carmen Aragonaise, Beethoven 8, among many more!) I also played in the Mozart quintet for winds and piano, which as a mainly "band" oboist I felt very comfortable in Eb major! I also managed to play oboe (not flute for the first time!) in the Nielsen quintet, a personal favourite. That was certainly not a piece I expected to ever play on oboe, but it felt great. One of our State symphony orchestra oboists had turned up and complimented me on my orchestral oboe playing, which was a massive boost!
I have surprised myself at my rate of progress over the last three years and now having played real orchestral oboe parts understand the beauty and satisfaction that is our instrument. Having the benefit of understanding musicality (through completing university performance studies on flute) has heightened my oboe experience all the more.
I have also developed a greater appreciation for orchestral music - oboe parts are so much better than flute parts!!  Great solos and less rests!
Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to share my recent experiences with those who truly understand!
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The Oboe BBoard
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