Auditioning. The word strikes terror into the hearts of young orchestral players, but I actually kind of love it. It’s fun to go to a new city, find the neighborhoodContinue readingAudition Discouragement
My Brilliant Daughter
Back when Zoe was two and three months old we used to speculate about exactly when she’d become smarter than the dog. She certainly wasn’t yet. She was working reallyContinue readingMy Brilliant Daughter
It’s More Complicated
I talk a lot with my students about making the oboe as easy as possible. Not overworking the embouchure or the fingers, and trusting your equipment to do most ofContinue readingIt’s More Complicated
Upcoming Concert
This weekend’s South Bend Symphony concert, “Music From the Heart” features music of Dvorak and Chopin. Musicians here have an inside joke that we are the All Dvorak All TheContinue readingUpcoming Concert
Committing to the Gesture
What was I doing before? I resolved this week to commit to every gesture and every note I play in the orchestra, even though it was “just” a pops concert.Continue readingCommitting to the Gesture
Upcoming Concert
I’ve just come home from rehearsal for tomorrow’s concert with the Northwest Indiana Symphony. It’s a Patriotic Veteran’s Day pops concert, but I am enjoying the music much more thanContinue readingUpcoming Concert
I Do Practice
It occurs to me that I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about tapering, or recovering, or not wanting to practice, and that people could easily getContinue readingI Do Practice
Baroque Music is Hard
Baroque music is hard to play. It’s hard for an oboist, because the solo lines go on and on and on with very few rests. This is challenging partly becauseContinue readingBaroque Music is Hard
Upcoming Concert
I am performing next Sunday, 11/7, at 2:00pm in Chicago. This will be an hour-long recital of Baroque music for oboe and harpsichord; the lovely and talented Joseph Bognar willContinue readingUpcoming Concert
Reconsidering the Taper
I’ve been thinking a lot about the tapering process. It makes good sense to not run hard or long in the week before a race, and to eat well andContinue readingReconsidering the Taper