SCHOOL HAS STARTED. What a relief! Up until the last minute, my child was trudging through summer math homework. They resented it desperately but I had fun working on it with them! Continue readingApplied Music
Practice Filters
I was talking with my FLOW group about our upcoming recital. Most of my participants have their pieces in pretty good shape, with a month to go. This is fantastic!Continue readingPractice Filters
The Work is Never Wasted
I heard a colleague complaining about having practiced music which was later cut from the concert. What a waste of time, she griped! Something about that attitude rubbed me theContinue readingThe Work is Never Wasted
Dance With the Voices
Last week in my Oboe Flow class, Dr. Andrew Parker was talking with us about performance nerves and he put it so well. He said, “Your approach needs to be two-prongedContinue readingDance With the Voices
When in Doubt, Play Beautifully
What does it mean to Play Beautifully? That’s what one of my FLOW oboists asked in our group this week. My teacher, Richard Killmer, used it as a mantra – “When inContinue readingWhen in Doubt, Play Beautifully
What is WORK?
I know the pandemic isn’t actually over. But the performing work is hitting my inbox all the time now, and I’m having to make decisions. I don’t want my NOWContinue readingWhat is WORK?
Glorified Long Tones
Last week I had the pleasure of hearing a student who SIMPLIFIED her air, her embouchure, and her approach, trusted the oboe, and let an entire slow movement gently unspoolContinue readingGlorified Long Tones
Five Thoughts on Returning to the Stage
I’ve had FOUR orchestra concerts now, in our new transitioning-to-post-pandemic world. We are so lucky, here in South Bend, to have management and a board that are forward thinking and prioritizeContinue readingFive Thoughts on Returning to the Stage
Taking Up Space
I’m thinking about the instinct we have to avoid taking up space, especially, though not exclusively, as women. I was in a zoom group coaching session recently and found myselfContinue readingTaking Up Space
Reed Drift
This topic comes out of a conversation we’ve been having in Reed Club lately. Last week was my THIRD orchestra concert since the South Bend Symphony started back up post-pandemic,Continue readingReed Drift