Merry Merry!

Well that was quite the gap between posts!

Things have been BUSY-- which for me-- is good. No matter how much I actually whine about being tired or stressed, the truth is that I would rather be busy and working than NOT.

I can't believe that Christmas has crept up so quickly this year, but in just one short week- I'll be traveling back home to Michigan to celebrate the holidays in my hometown with my family. I am really excited as I rarely get to see them these days! I am too busy, everyone is growing up and spreading out all over the place, and traveling these days has become pretty $$$.

One thing that I always love at Christmastime is of course... the MUSIC. I know that many players get bored of pops concerts, carols, and of Messiah-- but I love it. I think that music really "makes" the holidays for most people and definitely for the Kramer-Pawl household! I love breaking out the christmas carol oboe duets with my young students (sorry high schoolers-- it is Ferling or BUST until honor band auditions tomorrow!) And I really, really LOVE getting to play Christmas tunes with pro groups. (This year I even tried to have a stash of Red, Green, and Silver reeds!!?!)

So I am always listening away, and growing up as a nerdly little oboe player was always listening to everything waiting to hear an oboe! I can't get enough of the oboe playing in all of the old Christmas movies, and of definitely can't get enough of any holiday favorites performed on oboe and english horn.

My first Christmas playing the oboe, my mom purchased a CD she had heard playing in one of her favorite shopping haunts. She bought it because she had heard some beautiful oboe playing. This playing turned out to be a great version of the Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto. She played the CD, and was so excited- saying "someday that will be you!". You can imagine my face as an 11 year old beginning oboist my reaction was basically something like "you have got to be kidding". Although I was captivated by the amazing music coming out of our living room CD set up, I was doubtful.

I performed the complete Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto for my Mom on two separate recital occasions to thank her for always believing in me. I think that is what is so magical about Christmas-- BELIEVING.