I’m not exactly sure where these facts come from, as the newspaper doesn’t tell me, but here you go:
MUSICAL EDUCATION FACTS
Most popular instruments for children: violin, trumpet, trombone, flute, percussion.
Most in-demand instruments on college or conservatory level: viola, bass fiddle, oboe, bassoon, French horn, English horn, tuba.
Most in-demand instrument on adult, amateur level: violin.
Not many [...]
Not much to say today, and I doubt not much for the next few days. It’s just a slow time for me. And that’s okay.
What’s not okay is that I couldn’t go to the IDRS convention this year, I’ve not ever gone, and I can’t go next year. So to feel as if I’m nearly [...]
If you have an oboe that I’ve not suggested be dumped, you have an oboe with a left F key. Some of my students arrive at their first lesson having never played or learned this fingering even if they have the key. Why? Because nearly every book I’ve ever seen doesn’t include it on a [...]
“At the first rehearsal, it was a riot, because the oboist was just warming up her reed and my ears perked up. I heard this unusual sound and I said, “What are you doing?” and she said, “Warming up my reed.” I said, “That’s the way the piece is gonna start.” It sounded like [...]
If you’re going to play the oboe, you have to have elementary bravery, or you’re in big trouble. Some of them are nutty, wild and unreasonable. I call myself a quintessential Cleveland Orchestra player — orthodox, but zippy, and nonwacko. I hate wacko.
-John Mack
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Of course there have been more articles on John Mack, as I expected, so here are a few more links:
Death notice
Cleveland Plain Dealer, written by Donald Rosenberg
Playbill, written by Vivien Schweitzer
Washington Post, written by Adam Bernstein
New York Times, written by James R. Oestreich
And yes, his middle name isn’t “Oboe” according to some of these articles. [...]
A lot of people have the idea that classical musicians are smart. Some think we are intellectual giants. (Well, until you read this blog, eh?!) I don’t like destroying our grand image, but I have to tell you it simply isn’t true.
Now some of my classical pals are brilliant. Many, in fact. But I [...]
Art is a beacon and music happens to be our special beacon. (I wonder if there is a relationship between the words beacon and beckon?) Music most assuredly does sustain us, and beguile and nourish us. What kind of void would be in its absence? Not a pretty thought. So it falls to us to [...]
… to this isn’t, as Susan guessed. The answer, instead, is a tuba. The article was about a tuba quartet.
Um. Sure. Oboe … clarinet … tuba … all so very much alike. Yes indeed.
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I’ve heard from a few people, and I can tell what they and some family members here have said that I’m a silly girl who over reacts to everything. Sigh. So I guess I’ll just forget about the email and move on to other things to whine about! There’s always something, you know, so letting [...]
I had a new student scheduled to arrive at 4:00 today. At 4:35 I finally called to see what was up. The mom, who had called, scheduled the appointment, and got directions to the house wasn’t there. The man I’m assuming was her dad said her mom had work and probably forgot. Hmmm. Very odd. [...]
Joshua Kosman, classical music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle has a new blog. Welcome to our happy world, Mr. Kosman. (And don’t take what I say about reviewers too seriously! Unless it’s complimentary, of course! ;-)
In Other News
I had sent a message to my friendly emailer, and I’ve heard nothing back. I’m not sure [...]
You can read an article about John Mack, and see a good picture of him with two things he loved greatly.
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I read this, which included this paragraph:
Still, it was in the three central movements that the conductor achieved the greatest results. The Concertante section featured serene contributions from the woodwinds — and a scintillating solo from principal flutist Maria Tamburrino — and the Rondeau sounded downright springy. The Andantino found the orchestra uniting in playing [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
The instrument looked and sounded “cooler than the oboe or euphonium,” ….
Heh. If you can’t figure it out, you aren’t an oboist*! :-)
Here’s the full paragraph from the article I read, in case you are interested:
So familiar is the sight of the lanky, flat-topped Ahlstrand armed with his ever- present sax, churning out dazzling solos, [...]
This is what comes from this silly brain when, at 10:05, it’s still so blasted hot! ;-)
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I’ve always wondered why I spend so many lonely, lonely nights here at home. And just now I read this:
Born in Chicago and raised in Tulsa, Okla., Graae originally wanted to be a professional oboe player but was bitten by the acting bug and switched career focus at a young age. He says he was [...]
Did you know that if you have a carpet that you are trying to clean, and you use a variety of cleaning agents, and you are vigorous in your cleaning, and you scrub and scrub, and you manage to actually get some spots out that you thought would never leave …
… that you also might [...]
This morning I became even more regal than I already was; I went to the dentist to get crowned once again. This makes three crowns in this little mouth ‘o mine. I suspect this means that folks will bow (or curtsey if that’s their thing) before me and bring me stuff (food, wine, a tiara [...]
In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of.
-Robert A. Schumann
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