It is so cold. Like -4 F cold. That -20 C if anyone cares. I guess fortunately I have not had any gigs this week, although I did turn down one in Great Falls, Montana, where the temperature is even colder. It was actually kind of a difficult thing for me to say no, but it is six hours away, I would have to spend three nights there (home stay), and the pay was only $50/service. They did have a small per diem and $300 for travel, but that is only half of the standard mileage for how far I would be driving. Usually, I would not quibble about money since I am in the fortunate position of having an engineer husband, but that just seemed excessive.
On the upside, I then got a call to Sub for the big symphony, just one night, but I will be playing for a conducting workshop! They split the orchestra the night. I will be there so I will play first without a second Oboe. And they’re just doing some little things, Schubert‘s unfinished, Strauss Die Fleidermaus and Tchaikovsky 5. Yikes. Just a lot lot of music to be prepared for.
And the next weekend, I’m playing with the farther Bigish Symphony (About three hours away, but my brother lives there so usually a fun Family visit occurs). That should be fun, but there is also a lot of music for that. It’s a movie night pops concert and I’m playing second which should be fun.
My baroque Trio has a performance at the end of this month- I’m really trying to elevate my level of playing, Even though I could get away with doing far less. Same with my little symphony, it is frustrating, but I have decided it gives me a good place to practice my soft articulation and prep for other gigs. One of my best friends in the symphony of more than 20 years, has decided to step down from her principal position next year. Although I have thought about it many times, I don’t think it is my time yet.
Finally, I reached out to people about playing in a quintet, and of course, two of the people want to do afternoons, and two of the people only will do evenings. Ugh, I know I will end up being the quintet bitch (Organizer and Procurer of music) and I really don’t want to do another evening thing. I’m considering reaching out to the evening people and saying I will participate, but one of them will have to take the lead if they want to do something, guessing that will lead to nothing. But hopefully we can find a couple other people to do an afternoon thing! Scheduling is always the hardest.
