News

This post is far overdue!

I'll try to keep things as organized as I can:

~ Musical Life: Fantastic! So many things going on. My first concert was this last Wednesday and it was so great - everything went really well. I played first on Haydn 89 and it was such a wonderful experience - a really beautiful piece that was very oboe-friendly. I can't say enough good things about the UPO as a whole and our conductor, Christopher Lees. But, to try and sum it all up, I've never played with an orchestra this good. It's such a positive environment and I feel really comfortable/happy going into each rehearsal. I was particularly happy with the winds in the Haydn - in the front row, I was sitting between my friends Melissa (oboe) and Charlotte (flute) who are both fantastic musicians and players - I felt as though we really connected on a musical level and were able to perform as a smooth floboe unit. Charlotte and Kate are now my 2 favorite flutists. And Melissa is such a wonderful oboist in every respect - I have so much respect for her musicianship and sensitivity.

I'm in a new quintet, all women, which is great. We're working on a really cool Mexican piece right now which is great for my rhythm and some interpretation issues. And, we're quite social, as well. I love it!

I know I've probably said it before, but the level of playing here @ UM is SO HIGH. It makes life so much easier when you can really focus on the music and not so much the other things that get in the way. I'm also pleased with the lack of negative attitudes and stuck-up-ness. So, to try and sum everything up, it's all going very well! I'm in the right spot at the right time and it shows...

So, I got a new oboe. Yes. You heard right. My 8 year old Fossati is now being phased out, due to it's pitch issues and some minor tonal qualities. In its place is a GORGEOUS new Howarth XL. I just deposited my loan check today for it and will send out a check to the dealer on Monday. This has all happened so quickly! But, it really is an amazing oboe and it's great to know that Dr. King said that she would've bought that oboe for herself if she'd switched from Loree to Howarth. We literally picked this oboe in about 30 minutes or less. I did try a few Loree Royales, and those, of course were amazing, but the Howarth is/was clearly the oboe for me. It contains my tone much more than the Royale and just fits. Crazy! But, I forgot how tedious the break-in period can be. Gr. However, this is going to be an amazing oboe when it's fully broken in...

Social life is going well - lots of new friends and getting to know everyone. It's a bit tedious meeting new people and finding my peeps, but it's happening. I like the people here. It's what I need right now.

Much more going on, but I can't really think at the moment - more to come, as always!