oboeinsight

I am safely home, after experiencing my first IDRS convention and then visiting for a short time with two of my kids. It was a fast trip … or at least it seems so now.

I might post more tomorrow if I have time to put some thoughts together. I still would like to write about a few things that came up at the conference, but so far I’ve not sat down to do so.

Thank you, Francisco Castillo and Carolyn Beck. Goodbye Redlands. You were a wee bit too hot for me, but I appreciated your hospitality. Goodbye IDRS. Maybe I’ll see you next year in New York City. I’m hoping!

I hate to even share some things … if this business gets too busy it’ll take longer to get my reed order. And yes, I DO play on other folks’ reeds much of the time these days. I just don’t like to make reeds. I think every oboist should learn to make reeds. I think it’s of utmost importance. However I don’t think we all have the talent to make them well. I’m one what I call the World’s Worst Reed Maker. It doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying, but it does mean I’ll buy reeds if I can find someone who works for me. Tanya’s reed do. Heck, she got me through Les Miserables!

Tanya and Anthony Johnson at the Reed Pros table

I found the Püchner bells to be beautiful.

I was trying to link this to a page on the Marigaux site, but I can’t find this instrument there! Hmm. Maybe I’m just not looking in the right place. I wonder. But I had to shoot a few photos of this instrument. It’s pretty amazing. I’ve heard it plays really well, too. (Again, I HAVE to try it next time!)

Okay, I just have to post this. How sweet is this photo? Kris, Sydne and Renaud in one photo! I had played an opera a few years back with Kris and Sydne (sorry I misspelled your name at first. Geesh!) and I have communicated via Facebook but met in person for the first time at the IDRS conference. Sydney was trying Marigaux oboes so I just had to shoot this!

I really was foolish on this trip to IDRS. I had the absolute joy of meeting Renaud Patalowski of Marigaux. What a nice man, and the instruments … so lovely! He offered to have a look at my oboes, but did I think to bring my instruments and have them looked at? Naw. And today when I was back at the exhibits I forgot to bring my reed case and I didn’t try ONE OBOE. Ack. What a goof I am!

Next year (I really DO hope to go next year!) I will bring a few reeds every time I go into the exhibits and I just might bring my oboes so Marigaux can have a look-see at them.

Thank you, Renaud Patalowski, for your graciousness. It was wonderful to meet you!