feedback

First Impressions

TAKE A LOOK AT 2010 www.youtube.com/watch?v=08OgBHSyQ4Q

This was sent in the evening after the Big Double Reed Day:

"What a FANTASTIC day it was! The train back to Essex was buzzing with a group of young (and not so young) oboe players wearing "big double reed day' T shirts. The other passengers sat open mouthed hearing about reed adjustments, posture, phrasing, mass double reed bands, wonderful recitals, amounts of money spent on accessories and music, baroque oboes etc.

Many many thanks for organizing today it was a real success! We now look forward to the next!"

Oboe thoughts

The big reed day was brilliant It was a great chance to qualify in it. I made friends with OBOE PLAYERS and learnt a lot. We liked the baby bassoons!
Sarah B Oboe

Fun Day

The big double reed day was fantastic and a great opportunity to experience all aspects of the Oboe! We first went to a Masterclass where I performed my grade 5 piece "Orientale" in front of a small group and the expert advised me on some improvements. It was useful although a little intimidating with everyone watching! After there were performances in the concert hall from a range of professonials which was inspirational. I particularly liked The Oboe Band as they played with old fashion Oboes which produced a unique sound. Also Alison Teale, Richard Simpson and the Oboe quartet performed. Next I went to a reed making workshop, which even though was disappointing at times it was still great fun. During any spare time there it was possible to try out different, very expensive, oboes which I particularly enjoyed. Overall the day was is really great fun and I would encourage anybody to go. Owen E. Oboe

Bassoon feedback

Bassoon and oboe players from all over Britain went to the Big Double Reed Day at Guildhall. Scott, Emma and myself were there, as was Sara Grint. Even Ben from Howarth's was there letting kids try out his contra bassoon. It was brilliant !
Matthew O. Bassoon

Young bassoonist's feedback

We spent most of our time playing and then at the end of the day we did a mini concert and played the theme tunes from Wallace and Gromit , Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Apparently , Guildhall filmed the concert and are hoping to put it on You Tube; so everyone will be able to see what a fantastic day we had . I'm really looking forward to the next Big Double Reed Day.

From Scott E. (Bassoon)

Another happy camper

My experience at The Big Double Reed Day, is a day I’ll never forget. It had such a wonderful atmosphere with all the teachers and conductors willing to help out. It’s great to bring a friend along to let them share the fun and joy with you. The moment I walked into the building I heard lots of fantastic tunes being played from the Bassoons and Oboes. It was crowded with so many people wanting to take part. I have learnt a lot at The Big Double Reed Day because I can now play certain notes I couldn’t before, such as E flat and A sharp. I’ve learnt two different types of Bassoon (Contra and Mini) and one other different type of Oboe (I do not know the name of sadly). I walked into the Bassoon Practise Room and to my surprise I saw other people from my Saturday Orchestra at MMF so that made the day even more enjoyable.
We were all rehearsing for a small end-of-the-day-concert. The pieces we got to play were: the theme from Harry Potter, Wallace and Gromit and The Pirates of the Caribbean. Though in the concert when we were playing Pirates of the Caribbean we were doing it with the grades 6-9 (nine meaning very, very good) and for Harry Potter and Wallace and Gromit we were playing with the Oboes.
We were given lots of breaks to rest our lips and to have a look at all the other stalls in the main corridor. There were lots of Bassoons on display and some of them you were able to try! I just couldn’t resist, so I had a go on the Contra Bassoon and played the lowest note. We had lunch there too (unfortunately you had to pay at the café). I had a great time there and I thoroughly recommend it to any Bassoon or Oboe enthusiasts.