oboeworks nooooooo

So so sad that it seems as thought OboeWorks really will be closing their doors fairly soon, and for good. They are by far my favorite supplies store, with the most decent prices and great service. They are advertising a tube cane blowout sale right now and apparently have more sales to come so check them out before they are gone forever-- I will miss them so!

In other news, this week was seemingly uneventful- all of my students are doing great and I was even able to get some reeds going! Who know I could actually have time to stockpile enough reeds to be able to offer some to my students. This is a win-win situation because they get some great reeds and I get a little bit of extra $ which these days, with gigs few and far between- can't hurt one bit!!! Keeps me busy and productive anyway.

I was forewarned long ago by my first, favorite, and best teacher-- well, teacher has never quite fit what she actually was for me. Teacher sounds so one dimensional to say sometimes... she was a friend, big sister, educator, mentor, kick in the ass, everything I needed in my oboe life and in my life life too. We'll call her an "amazing mentor and presence".

Anyway, I digress. She told me once of the loneliness and doubt that I would one day face before, after, and during audition time and preparation for big musical events. She was, as only an oboe mother could be- totally right. It can be a terrible time, when you are left doubting your abilities, yourself, everything about your playing- reeds, instrument, and everything that you have worked toward- the list could probably go on forever. I hate this about auditions. I am mean enough to myself about my playing, pretty much the last thing I need is some external force putting the nail in the coffin.

I am trying to be nicer to myself right now, and just working through things. It is the life of any artist-- lots of peaks and valleys. I need to find a way to look a bit more in awe at the peaks and a bit more nonchalantly at the valleys.