Here’s the paragraph for you:
“People are amazed when you just walk out on stage or take it out of the case,” said Troiano, 54, who said bewildered fans often ask if the massive instrument of twisting metal pipes is an oboe or clarinet.
So what instrument do you think might get confused for an oboe or clarinet?
I paid for an hour of a radio show online. I can listen to it online. But is there a way to transfer it to iTunes? I’m just curious, as I can’t listen to it all now. I know there are a bunch of Incredibly Smart People out there who would have the answer for this Incredibly Unsmart Girl. (I’m so unsmart I even use the word “unsmart”!)
The URL has mp3 at the end of it. Seems like that should mean I can transfer it somehow. But I only think that because I know nothing. Nothing at all. 😉
Weather Update
It’s now only 94. Time to celebrate!
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It has been reported, via the IDRS list, that John Oboe Mack has died. I knew he was quite ill, so this isn’t a shock, but it is sad news nonetheless. He was a great oboist, and I have some excellent recordings of his.
His son, Rick Mack, writes,
“I have one personal request – see that his teachings continue in their truest form. He was a man of amazing talent, character, and drive not to mention a loving husband and father. Hold to that and pass it on. God bless!”
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More thinking … more wondering about that email … part of me is less upset. Part of me is frustrated. But most of me wants input from my gentle readers! (In other words, if you are gonna be chopping my head off you might skip writing. I’m not up for it!)
So here’s the full letter … am I just totally over reacting? (Typical of me, you know?)
Greetings,
It seems a very big oversight not to include listings of double reeds players in the most prominent US military bands in the nation. After all, we won very competitive auditions and are as professional group as any and make a much better salary than most of the regional orchestras you have listed. Considering we also tour nationally and internationally, more people around the nation and the world see us perform year in and year out then core audiences of these regional orchestras you have listed. In my humble opinion, it would serve you well to list the premier bands of the Washington, DC area and their rosters. That would include my band “The President’s Own” US Marine Band, “Pershing Own” US Army Band, the USAF Band and the US Navy Band. These are the premier military bands in the nation and neglecting that we are professional organizations as the rest on your list is insulting and a major oversight. Incidentally, our band does have a Chamber Orchestra and most other DC bands have a string contingency so it’s not all band, all the time.
It would be appreciated if you made an update to your site. Here is some information you might need, at least in reference to “The President’s Own”:
http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/
http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/who_we_are/members/index.htm#
Thanks for your attention to this this. Best of luck with the website.
Sincerely,
(Name omitted for the time being; I’m still thinking on that one!)
And yes, as you can see the writer didn’t point directly at me, when saying that he probably has a higher salary. But since all of this was addressed at me, and I’m in one of those “regional orchestras” I did, as is typical of me, take it personally.
Again, let me say that omitting band musicians wasn’t some intentional thing … I hadn’t even though of bands. I don’t listen to band music. I don’t perform in bands, and haven’t since my junior year of college. I’m not involved in bands. Bands just aren’t a part of who I am. And let’s face it, this is my blog so most everything here has some connection to me. Sorry, but that’s how sites put together by an individual are often set up. Egotistical? Probably. A waste of time? Maybe (but it seems I do get readers who imply that they enjoy my silly rambling).
I’m probably spending far too much time mulling all of this over. Emails can sure be harmful to one’s health!
But … really … when one receives a message like that, does the sender really think I’ll immediately want to do his bidding?
Kind words go so far. Harsh ones honestly do not.
I just received a rather harsh email from a member of a military band. It’s quite clear that he is offended that I haven’t included his and other military band double reed players’ names on my page of American Symphony Orchestra Double Reed Players. He also pointed out that he makes a lot more money than yours truly.
Now I confess I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to reprimands. I get shaky. Really! I don’t shake like this when I’m performing. It’s only when someone is telling me off, or is angry with me. Funny how that works.
Anyway, I’m not sure how to handle this. Anyone have any ideas? The pages I’ve done so far are for orchestral musicians. The person who emailed me said that these folks play in smaller groups that are orchestras. But will there be a roster, which is how I do my searches? I dunno!
Or should I start a band page?
Can I tell you how many hours it takes to put these pages together? (And does anyone else want to put together a band page and send it to me so I can avoid the work?!)
In Other, but not any better, News:
They say 102 today. Sigh. It’s a spare the air day, so I’m not supposed to go anywhere if I care about things like that (and I do).
Guess it’s lots of ice water for me.
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