Deserted Oboe

I have been living in the desert for sixty nine days- 6-9... its just over two months and I would love to tell you that it feels like time is flying by but two months has felt like two years.
I knew that living here would be hard, especially right after living in San Francisco- basically OZ for anything to do with the arts. Well... to do with anything- I really loved living there... it is an amazing city.
I had somehow convinced myself though that it would be a good challenge and that it would even in some way be fun to see what I could do in a new place. Rather than being any type of fun challenge- it has just been difficult.
We live outside the city, so I'm isolated from any type of musical community and there is only one professional orchestra in Las Vegas- it also isn't a full time gig. Because there are few oboe gigs, the people that have them are pretty protective of them which I can appreciate. I wouldn't want someone hawking my job, but on the other hand thats really not what I'm trying to do- I'm just looking for some opportunities, subbing, networking really. On the top of my "want" list right now is just to meet some other professional, dedicated, classical musicians to collaborate with.
My great friend, Ben Opie, acting principal oboe of his hometown orchestra in Adelaide, AU advised me a few days ago to "have hella goals" for this year, and I think he is really right. I think it is time for me to say- This is what I want to do- and do it. It includes taking my first (yikes) pro audition, perhaps starting a reedmaking business, and auditioning for New World. All challenges, but all worth it.
I had really been holding out for a job with the school district as their oboe paraprofessional- basically a traveling oboe instructor for all 100+ middle and high schools in the area. They approved my application, but are somehow hung up in making the formal job offer- it is really hard being in limbo there. This week I've finally hit my limit and am going to forget about it and pursue other things.
There is a community about half an hour away in St. George, UT that has a lively artistic outlet that I'd love to break into. It is much closer than Vegas (which is about 80 minutes away) and it has several smaller orchestras, as well as an arts magnet school. I think I'm going to have to get creative here, it probably won't mean that I get to play in an orchestra in these parts but it does mean that I can learn about programming, marketing myself, planning, and maybe learning some wedding and event rep.
In other news, my innoledy oboe gouger is apparently ready- I've been waiting since May so that is great news for me and my oboe reeeds. If anyone has any set-up tips for care and keeping of a brand new machine- I'd love to hear!
This past week I experimented with a new reed set-up using the Mark Chudnow CA staple (47mm) with KGE cane (10-10.5) and my Jeanee-X shaper tip, the result: great response, easy blowing, dark sound, the stability that I love and the three reeds that I finished over a couple of days were very consistent. I am sold!
Well, time for a break- more to come!