Copious Oboes...

This past week, I was in possession of the most beautiful instrument I have ever seen in my life. Had I an extra $8,400, I would have bought it. It was a Loree, Royal model oboe...made of violetwood, which comes from the same family as rosewood, but is a tad denser and, well, harder to crack.

But perhaps I should back up.

The saga of the oboes. It began on a cold, snowy day in February. Just dry and cold enough to cause a crack in the top joint of my oboe. There was great stress and a little playing of the "fauxboe" in rehearsal, but in the end, superglue saved the day.

Yes, superglue can fix an oboe that hasn't cracked all the way through the bore. Most ghetto fix of all time, but works in a pinch. At least it wasn't like that one time in marching band when we fixed a tuba with duct tape.

Thus began the search for a new oboe. My professor hounded me every week in my lesson about how much better I would sound on a new oboe, between pitch and tone and resistance...so finally I caved. It was time anyway, and my 1989 Covey, I'll admit, was beginning to blow out.

The Search commenced over spring break, when I drove up to Pat McFarland's shop in midtown Atlanta. There I got to try two grenadilla AK bore Lorees, a violetwood AK Loree, and a violetwood Loree Royal.

Oh, the violetwood Royal. I can't describe to you how beautiful that instrument was. So I won't.





That is all.

All in all, I ended up buying one of the AK-model grenadilla oboes. That instrument, that...beautiful thing...such a sweet tone. But no projection whatsoever. My new oboe is beautiful. Dark, rich tone. Full range of volume.

I am in love with my instrument, my major, and my life :)

PS: the new oboe hasn't been named. Any suggestions?