 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-06-20 02:08
Just seeing what interesting things everyone is doing this June. I wish I could say I was doing a whole lot, but just a lot of work practicing clearly articulating notes below G in the staff. I'm waiting on Mark Chudnow to send me some more staples, as right now I only have 2 of the ones I use. I'm not sure his process on getting the particular staples I like, but it is a long one I assure you of that. This is not with all his staples, lucky me just the ones that I like.
I recorded some new flute etudes for my youtube site which I am proud of, and I'm picking up learning the soprano recorder and tin whistle.
Drew S.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DrewSorensenMusic
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2012-06-20 03:07
I am in one of those busier-than-a-one-armed-paperhanger phases.
Cambiata Winds (Find us on Facebook!) has had two gigs in the past two weeks. We're getting paid these days -- yay!
We have also gotten two new awesome bookings. One for a lot of money, which is probably the best thing about it. The other booking is from a composer who wants us to play his kinda nice quintet on a program next February at Meredith College in Raleigh. And why not?
Two more local gigs, and then we go on tour to Upstate New York. Don't ask me how that happened. I sincerely don't know. It wasn't my idea.
My "other" quintet, Take 5, has a half-dozen bookings, even though we have never played a gig in public yet. What is that about?!?!? (We have a very enthusiastic clarinetist, who has lots of contacts, and great expectations. Now we just have to learn some music.)
I'm pretty glad that the larger ensembles of which I am a part are on hiatus as of this evening. Gives me time to learn the music for the symphony that I'm starting with (Danville, VA) next Fall.
I think things have reached critical mass.
Susan
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-06-20 03:42
I'm doing pit orchestra with the Leavenworth Summer Theater, two shows:
Annie Get Your Gun! and The Sound of Music. Oboe, English horn, clarinet.
I'm also teaching.
My plan is to play and 'crash' (eat, sleep, stretch, medicate) then repeat ad infinitem, until September 2. [Chronic pain/fatigue to cope with.] Then it's just 'crash' for a week before emerging into some other routine.
GoodWinds
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2012-06-20 04:41
Summer got busier than Spring! So much for relaxing!
Started working in the UIUC band library (which is a performance, not a borrowing library). I like it. It's laid back, but it sure is good to be able to put my nerdy band-knowledge to good use!
Just did a concert with the Urbana Pops Orchestra - played flute though. It was good fun, even with Sorcerer's Apprentice at light speed!
Playing in summer band on campus...which was great until the oboist next to me (who has claimed principal) keeps telling me which notes are out of tune with him, or that I need to play softer in certain bits (like unison sections...WT?) which in a band of 120, 60% who possibly haven't touched an instrument since last summer and 30% who are probably playing a 2nd instrument, seems unreasonable...sorry, had to vent.
Talking to friends about the roadtrip to IDRS - we are only attending on the Sunday but staying overnight on the Saturday...are we going to do a catch up, BBoard folks?? Would love to meet you all!
Rachel
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-06-20 17:28
Rachel, don't let any egomaniac principal get under your skin. Just play well according to your standards and maybe he (she?) will pick up some better habits... playing as well as courtesy.
I wish I could get to IDRS but have too many other saucepans on Life's burners. I wish I could go if only to meet some of yous nice people.
GoodWinds
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-06-20 17:54
I proud and happy for everyone's success.
If you all don't mind me asking, those of you getting trio/quartet/quintet jobs (or those that just know), what is a good market for this type of music? Maybe weddings, corporate,...? I have thoughts of starting my own, but I am unfamiliar on where to take a group like this.
Drew S.
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-06-20 18:09
...in my area, art galleries and event fund-raisers, special events (Mother's Day brunches).
GoodWinds
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2012-06-20 18:45
Drew,
Cambiata has built their clientele over a period of years. We are not picky about where we play (although we prefer to play indoors). Senior communities are probably our most consistent source of revenue, because this is a big retirement area, and most of the larger, more upscale senior communities have activities directors and BUDGETS. We also play fund raisers, private parties, private school events, galleries, and the like.
Farmer's markets are another interesting possibility -- my "other" quintet is booked for a farmer's market this Fall. Outdoors -- don't know how that will go. There is also an unusual ongoing event at the RDU Airport, wherein a variety of local groups are booked to appear on the first Friday of each month. The groups are strategically stationed at the arrival gates in each of the terminals, and the idea is to provide a "welcome" or "welcome home" to folks disembarking from flights. Novel, no? (This is not a paying gig, but tip jars and sales of CDs or other group merchandise is allowed - anybody want a Cambiata Winds T-shirt?)
It helps if one member of the group has a marketing mentality!
Susan
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2012-06-20 19:30
ohsuzan wrote:
> The groups are strategically stationed at the arrival
> gates in each of the terminals, and the idea is to provide a
> "welcome" or "welcome home" to folks disembarking from flights.
> Novel, no?
No, not novel, but most appreciated by the flying public. The airport at Austin was doing this 12 or 13 years back at least.
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-06-21 02:07
I'm sure they diffused some traveling tension and that the gate officers/airline personnel appreciated it just as much if not more.
GoodWinds
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-06-21 02:39
Fantastic ideas as always everyone.
I find marketing such a hard concept today. So many things are given away for free, I'm not sure how to turn a profit, or even recoup my expenses. Music is free, noone buys CDs anymore. Clubs expect you to play for "exposure". Even musicals hire half an orchestra at 1/3rd the standard rate. T-shirts maybe. What do people buy? Maybe I'll start my own fragrance, "eau de troubadour".
I'll stop ranting now. I ordered a few piano songbooks of easy pop songs, and I'm thinking of organizing a trio (Flute (me), Violin, Cello). We'll just read the piano parts so hopefully I won't have to write out individuals. Fingers crossed this leads to something.
Drew S.
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-06-21 05:39
Just try to keep playing; your trio idea is a good one: "Build it and they will come" sort of thing. Do a few free gigs, smile a lot, play fun stuff.
Just keep playing.
GoodWinds
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Author: Tanya Johnson
Date: 2012-07-13 05:11
I loved the suggestions on where those of you in trios, quartets, etc look for gigs. I really miss playing for weddings. I know some musicians hate those but I always liked them. Now that I am living in a new area I haven't found anyone to perform with regularly yet. If anyone is living in Los Angeles and wants to perform duets or trios for public performance, I'd love to be a part of the group!
http://www.reedpros.com - purchase handmade oboe reeds
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Author: samovar
Date: 2012-07-14 12:45
I am about 10 months into my return to playing after 20 years and enjoying myself immensely.
Played several concerts as Oboe II with a community orchestra and now am playing Oboe I for a local university's summer orchestra (mix of students + older community folks like me). Interesting and challenging program including Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (rarer Tushmalov arrangement, not Ravel), Britten's Matinees Musicales, Corigliano's Elegy for Orchestra, and a Tuba (!) concerto by Sanae Kanda.
Lots of great, meaty oboe solos in Britten and Pictures. Sight reading is certainly the skill with the longest return lag. First rehearsal was challenging and at times embarrassing. But great fun, with rehearsals and the concert in a beautiful historic hall with excellent acoustics.
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