After A 53-year Break...

Allow me to trip down memory lane for a bit... (scroll past the green text if you can't be bothered reading my ramblings)

I attended Ontario Youth Music Camp (OYMC) in Beaverton ON the summers after my Grades 10, 11, and 12. It was a wonderful, musical experience. I met lots of kids from all over Ontario - several of whom ended up studying music with me at the University of Western Ontario (now called Western University) in London ON.  The last time I attended a music camp was before my first year of university music studies in 1972. Courtney Youth Music Camp was sponsored by the Vancouver Youth Orchestra and took place at the high school at Courtney on Vancouver Island. Although I wasn't thrilled to be spending the last couple of weeks of my summer away from my boyfriend back home, the camp was a really great experience. Our orchestra was conducted by Kazuyoshi Akiyama, the newly-appointed conductor of the Vancouver Symphony. I do remember we played Rossini's 'La Gazza Ladra' (The Thieving Magpie - you'd recognize it as a Bugs Bunny tune), Wagner's 'Overture to Lohengrin', and some Gounod Ballet music. I think I played Oboe III in the orchestra. I also remember a Viennese-style evening of waltz music where the citizens of Courtney were invited to come and dance the night away to live waltz music.

I remember our 'dormitory' at the school was a science lab where we slept on mattresses on the floor. The sinks were very handy for tooth brushing, though. I hung out with Debbie H and Janice Y (both Vancouverites). There was a military base nearby which happened to be hosting a beer fest so the three of us went and had a great time. I may still have the mug somewhere. I don't remember having to sign out from the camp. I do recall drinking five 20oz. mugs of draft (it must have been really watered down) and having to pee several times that evening and during the night back at camp. Holy bladder buster! 

After camp and a concert in Victoria, I returned Vancouver where I planned to take the train to Edmonton to visit my aunt and uncle before flying back to home in Ontario. While in Vancouver, I stayed with Janice. That weekend happened to be the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) which we also attended. I remember we had trouble finding a way home and being quite put out that the police we encountered at the fair's entrance wouldn't  provide us with taxi service back to Janice's. I don't remember how we actually did get back to her place. 

After a gap of 53 years, and on the urging of my university friend, Rifka, I got myself signed up for and adult music camp this summer.

I haven't played my oboe since about 2010, so after 15 years I'm a bit rusty. I only signed up for one daily session (out of 6) where I will be playing it. I figured I could hide more easily in a concert band rather than in a smaller ensemble.

I did honk out a couple of notes before signing up for Concert Band. I was surprised that my old reeds worked and it actually sounded passable. My chops and lung capacity won't be optimum but I think I'll be able to fake my way just fine. 

The little film cannisters are great for soaking the reeds. I haven't bought film in decades but still had this cannister kicking around. Yet another example of one of the few  benefits of not throwing anything away.

My instrument is a lesser known professional model - Gordet. It can produce a lovely, rich tone - personally my preference over the much-hyped Lorée oboes. I purchased it used from my oboe teacher in 1972 and played it all through university and since. I may have had it serviced once in all that time. I'm amazed at how well it plays considering it's been sitting in the case in a backpack for 15 years. No leaks or anything. Fingers are crossed it will hold up to a week of daily, hour-long sessions.

Most oboists of any accomplishment make their own reeds. I was always a slacker in that department and often scrounged made use of my university oboe classmates' rejects - somehow making them work. I misplaced my reed making tools in one of my moves at least 4 decades ago so have relied on commercially available ones since then. I had ready access to reeds when I taught band instruments for years but bought a couple of reeds while on my crafty road trip a couple of weeks ago. The Galt House of Yarn is in the same plaza as Long and McQuade Music Store in Cambridge.

The top reed is priced from 2007, the bottom one was one of my new purchases - an increase of 274% over 18 years. I also did some online research and learned the new Légère plastic reeds are very good, not subject to atmospheric changes like the traditional cane reeds, and seem to last a long time, but they're $149USD!! Too much of an investment considering that after camp, I may not play again for another year, if at all. I stuck with the traditional cane reeds.

The cork grease in my case had solidified after all this time so I resorted to using lip balm to lubricate the tenon corks. It worked fine.

We were sent a packing list so I'm starting to locate necessary items and put them on the spare bed in preparation for packing. 

I get my own room at camp (actually held in at an Ontario university) and paid a bit extra to not have to share a bathroom. 

I'll be singing in three of the daily sessions (Choir for All, Vocal Jazz, and Celtic Music) and playing my ukulele for another session. I was advised not to completely fill all six time slots so am taking a 'spare' after lunch. This will give me a break of a couple of hours mid-day. I received .pdfs of the two vocal jazz charts and found recordings of them on YouTube to practice ahead of time. Rifka (the university friend who talked me into this venture) strongly suggested I add throat losenges and Tylenol to the packing list. I sure hope my voice holds up for 3 hours of singing a day. 

Also in preparation, I'm making myself go to bed before midnight so I get enough sleep and can function getting up much earlier than I've become accustomed to in my slothful lifestyle.

There are recitals in the evenings so I'll take some mindless knitting (socks) and also plan to take some stitching in case I need a 'fix' back at my dorm room.

I sure hope I have the stamina to keep up with everything for the week.