After a summer of less work than I’ve ever had, I’m happy to see the end of the summer tunnel! I never go on unemployment (I teach, after all, but I also know summer means less work and I plan accordingly … or try to!), but this was an especially bleak year. One job possibility was pulled of the table (with humble pie thrown in for good measure) and students who said they’d have lessons in the summer never contacted me at all. But that’s the musician’s life, and I still wouldn’t trade it for a secure 9 to 5 gig. Really.

Of course that doesn’t keep me from whining though, does it?!

BUT — drum roll please — I just updated my performance schedule and things are looking more promising. Idomeneo is just around the corner, and I’m going to get to play Michael Touchi’s work, Tango Barroco, again.

[Insert happy dance here.]

I do wonder about some students. When they say, “I’ll see you in the summer,” and then don’t even reply to emails I wonder if they are actually dropping oboe, or at least dropping me as their teacher. I suppose I’ll find out soon enough; school begins as early as August 16 for some. (Yikes! When I was that age we never began school here until after Labor Day.)

I do have two students today. One is at 10:00 AM and the other at 4:30 PM. An odd day, to be sure. In between I’m hoping to get some English horn reeds started. With Tango Barroco in October I want to be well prepared with reeds … or at least try to be well prepared.