Orchestrating Your Career

Molly McDonald is a violinist in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), and member of the Salaff Quartet. She did her undergraduate degree in violin performance at the Eastman School of Music and her masters at the Cleveland Institute of Music before winning a one year position with the RPO. Throughout the interview she shares her experiences from growing up performing folk music with her parents, entering a professional orchestra while finishing up her masters, and taking auditions and moving around the violin section within the RPO.

Molly shares such thoughtful insights into taking auditions, playing in a professional orchestra, and balancing family life as a wife and a mother to two children, alongside her musical career. She also has a super fun side hustle of flower arranging.

CONNECT WITH MOLLY

Salaff String Quartet: https://www.salaffquartet.com

RPO Website: https://rpo.org/news/member/molly-werts-mcdonald/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molly_greetings/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/molly.werts.7

Stems For Change: https://www.facebook.com/stemsforchange

MOLLY’S EPISODE RESOURCES

Fav Composer: Brahms

Fav Piece of Classical Music: Beethoven’s Op.59 Razumovsky String Quartets - the Dover Quartet Recording

Fav Movie Soundtrack: Amélie

Genre of Music: Folk Music; Nickel Creek; Danish Quartet’s Last Leaf

Currently Reading: The Tao of the Side Hustle; This is Vegan Propaganda

Musician You Admire: Yo Yo Ma and Willa Finck

Resource Recommendation: The Art of Violin

Audible Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3PDwFu3⁠⁠⁠

Amazon Music Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/45289IV⁠⁠⁠⁠

TIMECODES

00:00 Intro to OYC

01:08 Intro to Episode

02:19 Start of Interview

03:44 Molly’s Musical Background

09:11 Applying to Music Schools

10:53 Experience at ESM

16:28 Career Goals and Orchestral Pathway

17:32 Applying to Masters

18:58 Differences between Undergrad and Masters

20:13 Going to CIM and Living in Judson Manor

24:44 Winning RPO Job while at CIM

26:49 RPO Audition + Prep

34:08 The Transition Period from Student to Career

40:16 Adjusting to Playing in a Professional Orchestra

45:40 Having a 1 Year Position with the RPO

49:35 Taking Auditions Within the RPO

51:00 Other Parts of Career/Life

51:41 Salaff String Quartet

56:22 Flower Arranging and How It Relates to Music

1:07:44 Family Life Balance With Career

1:15:01 Rapid Fire Q&A

1:23:05 Final Piece of Advice

1:25:47 Episode Outro

1:26:39 Next Episode Teaser

1:27:13 Molly and the Salaff Quartet’s Performance

ORCHESTRATING YOUR CAREER 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCPf5xynqMHcFuQhCWrNCQ

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/orchestratingyourcareer/

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/orchestratingyourcareer

ABOUT THE HOST

Rebekah Carpio received her BMus in clarinet performance from the Eastman School of Music. She was awarded a Fulbright grant to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in their Orchestral Artistry program, which was in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra. She then went on to receive her PhD, also from the Guildhall School, researching the impact of education and community work in conservatoire training. 

CONNECT WITH REBEKAH

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bitesbybekah 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bitesbybekah.com⁠⁠⁠; Dear Reader Newsletter

MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE

Theme Music composed by Ben Roundtree: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0z6dZJL6GM⁠ 

Molly and the Salaff Quartet’s Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjx4l7XySsc

PHOTO CREDIT

RPO

Salaff Quartet

ESM

CIM

Juliana Athayde

Meliora

Ever Better

*OYC participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to ⁠Amazon.com⁠ and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support!

David Young is the Assistant Principal Bassoonist of the NSO. He did his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and then went to the University of Maryland to take part in the Woodwind Quintet Fellowship. He actually left his masters studies early to play with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway for a few months, and then spent four years in the United Stated President’s Own Marine Band. It’s really inspiring to see David’s commitment to never giving up on his dream of playing in a major symphony orchestra. And it’s amazing to hear how he reaches that goal to now be, in his words, living the dream.

CONNECT WITH DAVID

David’s Website: https://www.davidyoungbassoon.com

David’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidYoungBassoon

DAVID’S EPISODE RESOURCES

Fav composer: Bach

Fav piece of music: Mozart 41

Fav music soundtrack: Lord of the Rings

Genre of music: Epik High; Residente; Kanye

Last listened to: Maslanka Symphony No. 4; Dizzy Gillespie - Manteca

Currently reading: David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest and Brief Interviews with Hideous Men

Musician you admire: Chris Millard and Hilary Hahn

Resource Recommendation: Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life

Audible Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3PDwFu3

⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/45289IV⁠⁠⁠⁠

TIMECODES

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Intro to Episode

2:26 Start of Interview

3:06 David’s Musical Background

6:08 Getting Serious About Music and Summer Music Festivals

12:03 Choosing Where To Study

15:34 Northwestern: A Rich Experience

25:09 Goals at Northwestern

29:11 Grad School and UMD’s Woodwind Quintet Fellowship

37:22 Post Grad School

42:47 National Repertory Orchestra

43:37 Getting to Norway + Bergen Philharmonic

55:05 from Norway to DC

59:39 US Marine Band

1:12:29 From Marine Band to NSO

1:20:17 7th Year Masters Student + Applying for Teaching Jobs

1:26:57 Managing During COVID

1:29:26 Beta Blockers

1:32:35 NSO Audition Experience

1:36:30 Dealing with Uncertainty

1:40:50 Living the "Dream"

1:42:00 Rapid Fire Q&A

1:47:35 Final Pieces of Advice

1:49:39 Episode Outro

1:50:31 Next Episode Teaser

1:50:55 David’s Bassoon Performance

ORCHESTRATING YOUR CAREER

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCPf5xynqMHcFuQhCWrNCQ

⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/orchestratingyourcareer/

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/orchestratingyourcareer/

ABOUT THE HOST

Rebekah Carpio received her BMus in clarinet performance from the Eastman School of Music. She was awarded a Fulbright grant to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in their Orchestral Artistry program, which was in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra. She then went on to receive her PhD, also from the Guildhall School, researching the impact of education and community work in conservatoire training. 

CONNECT WITH REBEKAH

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bitesbybekah

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog⁠⁠⁠; Swiftie Newsletter

MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE

Theme Music composed by Ben Roundtree: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0z6dZJL6GM⁠

David’s Bassoon Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0og-3P6sAI0

PHOTO CREDIT

NSO

Northwestern

UMD

US Marine Band

Kennedy Center

Brevard

MasterWorks

Lewis Kirk

Chris Millard

Sue Heineman

Audition Success

Kanye

Epic High

Residente

Hilary Hahn

Bach

*OYC participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to ⁠Amazon.com⁠ and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support!

Carrie Davids Morris is a violist, hair stylist and curl specialist based in Rochester, NY. After attending the Interlochen Arts Academy she received her bachelor’s in Viola performance from the Eastman School of Music and her masters at the Manhattan School of Music. As a performer and music educator, Carrie worked for three summers at Luzerne Music Center, taught as a viola professor at the Manhattan School of Music precollege, Larchmont Music Academy, and played with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra. She then moved back to Rochester, NY where she subs with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and works as a hair stylist and curl specialist.

CONNECT WITH CARRIE:

Carrie’s Instagram @sugarcurlsnspice: https://www.instagram.com/sugarcurlsnspice/ 

Carrie’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@carriedavids4212

Ash and Ivory Hair Salon: https://www.instagram.com/ashandivory.co/

CARRIE’S EPISODE RESOURCES:

~ Current fav composer: Brahms or Corelli

~ Current fav piece of classical music: Brahms Symphony No. 4 or Cello Sonatas

~ Current fav film soundtrack: Harry Potter and the theme music from The Great British Bake Off

~ Just finished reading: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese and Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang

~ Musicians Carrie admires: Steven Isserlis (cellist) and Janine Jansen (violinist)

~ Resources to check out: Lauren Haley’s book, Kids Aren’t Lazy and The Inner Game of Tennis

Audible Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3PDwFu3⁠⁠⁠

Amazon Music Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/45289IV⁠⁠⁠⁠

TIMESTAMPS + PHOTOS

00:00 Introduction

00:56 Intro to Episode

02:25 Start of Interview

3:20 Musical background

5:18 1st Summer Music Camp Experience

7:09 Interlochen Arts Academy

12:57 Applying to Undergrad

14:24 Experience at ESM

19:50 Experience in Rochester

22:18 Senior year at ESM + Taking a Gap Year

26:10 Life in NYC

33:15 Masters at MSM

39:00 Life after MSM

42:15 Getting hit by a car

45:54 Getting into Hair Care 

58:10 Looking Forward 

1:00:40 Life as a Hair Stylist

1:06:33 Social Media

1:12:01 Rapid Fire Q&A

1:17:43 Final Piece of Advice

1:18:51 Connect with Carrie

1:19:51 Episode Outro

1:20:48 Next Episode Teaser

1:21:15 Carrie’s Viola Performance

ABOUT THE HOST

Rebekah Carpio received her BMus in clarinet performance from the Eastman School of Music. She was awarded a Fulbright grant to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in their Orchestral Artistry program, which was in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra. She then went on to receive her PhD, also from the Guildhall School, researching the impact of education and community work in conservatoire training. 

ORCHESTRATING YOUR CAREER 

YouTube ⁠⁠

Instagram

Facebook

PHOTO CREDIT

Interlochen

ESM

MSM

Luzerne Music Center

Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra

RPO

Carol Rodland, Viola Professor, ESM

Wegmans

Karen Ritscher, Viola Professor, Manhattan School of Music

*OYC participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to ⁠Amazon.com⁠ and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support!

Thank you for watching! Resource links, timecodes, and some extra notes are below. Hope to see you on February 1st for the next episode!

ORCHESTRATING YOUR CAREER

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCPf5xynqMHcFuQhCWrNCQ

⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/orchestratingyourcareer/

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/orchestratingyourcareer

RACHEL’S EPISODE RESOURCES:

~ Current fav composer: Bach - especially his Cello Suites (Rachel recommends the Pablo Casals recording)

~ Current fav piece of classical music: Rite of Spring

~ Current fav film soundtrack: Harry Potter and ET

~ Just finished reading: Making Change: Teaching Artists and Their Role in Shaping a Better World by Eric Booth

~ Resources to check out: Women At Work Podcast by Harvard Business Review; and the Office Ladies Podcast

Audible Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3PDwFu3⁠⁠⁠

Amazon Music Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/45289IV⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH RACHEL:

ESM Website: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/directory/roberts-rachel/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachellearoberts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelLeaRoberts

CONNECT WITH ESM’S IML:

ABOUT THE HOST

Rebekah Carpio received her BMus in clarinet performance from the Eastman School of Music. She was awarded a Fulbright grant to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in their Orchestral Artistry program, which was in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra. She then went on to receive her PhD, also from the Guildhall School, researching the impact of education and community work in conservatoire training.

CONNECT WITH REBEKAH

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bitesbybekah

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bitesbybekah.com⁠⁠⁠

TIMESTAMPS

MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE

Theme Music composed by Ben Roundtree

Rachel performing w/the Essimar Trio

PHOTO CREDIT

*OYC participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to ⁠Amazon.com⁠ and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support!

Ben Roundtree is a music missionary living and working in Germany. He is the Co-Director of the brass ensemble eurobrass, handbell performer with the BellTree Duo, and also does composing, arranging, music publishing and more. Ben received both his bachelors and masters degrees in Tuba Performance from the University of Kentucky, and George Mason University, respectively.

BEN’S EPISODE RESOURCES

~ Current fav composer: J.S. Bach

~ Current fav piece of classical music: ⁠"Intermezzo Sinfonico" from Cavalleria Rusticana⁠

~ Current fav soundtrack: ⁠Star Wars Original Soundtracks⁠

~ Just finished reading: ⁠Dragon King Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead⁠; ⁠The Testament by John Grisham⁠

~ Resources to check out: ⁠The Portfolio Composer Podcast⁠

Audible Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3PDwFu3⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Amazon Music Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/45289IV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

CONNECT WITH BEN

Roundtree Music Website: ⁠⁠roundtreemusic.com⁠

Emiko’s YouTube Channel: ⁠youtube.com/benroundtree⁠

BellTree Duo Website: ⁠belltreeduo.de⁠

Eurobrass Website: ⁠eurobrass.de⁠ 

ORCHESTRATING YOUR CAREER

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCPf5xynqMHcFuQhCWrNCQ⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/orchestratingyourcareer/

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/orchestratingyourcareer

ABOUT THE HOST

Rebekah Carpio received her BMus in clarinet performance from the Eastman School of Music. She was awarded a Fulbright grant to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in their Orchestral Artistry program, which was in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra. She then went on to receive her PhD, also from the Guildhall School, researching the impact of education and community work in conservatoire training. 

CONNECT WITH REBEKAH

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bitesbybekah

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bitesbybekah.com⁠⁠⁠

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

01:17 Intro to Episode

2:56 Start of Interview

3:55 Ben’s Musical Background

5:42 Choosing a Musical Career

6:54 Applying to Music Schools

8:15 Undergrad at University of Kentucky

9:55 Goals in Undergrad

12:31 Going for a Master’s Degrees 

16:07 King’s Brass

19:34 First Military Band Audition

20:53 Transitioning into Career

22:38 Church Secretary Job

24:18 Shifting Goals

26:06 Music Arranging

28:04 Instrumental Music Director

36:53 Musical Seasons

40:48 Handbells and Meeting His Future Wife

45:19 Current Career

49:03 Music Missionaries + A Bit on Finances

45:40 Eurobrass

55:34 Moving to Germany

1:00:09 Final Piece of Advice

1:05:08 Rapid Fire Q&A 

1:12:36 Episode Outro

1:13:27 Next Episode Teaser

1:13:55 Roundtree Family + Eurobrass Performances

MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE

Theme Music composed by Ben Roundtree

BellTree Duo | Little Drummer Boy

A Light Has Dawned (Roundtree), played by eurobrass

Amazing Grace BellTree Duo

Dona Nobis Pacem BellTree Duo 

PHOTO CREDITS

Dr. Skip Gray

Roger Behrend

The King’s Brass

Tim Zimmerman

The Dominion Brass

Immanuel BellTree Duo Album

ACT International

Posaunenchorheft “Amazing Grace”

Cereal Aisle

J.S. Bach

Mary Chapin Carpenter

The Testament by John Grisham

The Dragon King Trilogy

Dr. Sam Hsu

Csehy Summer School of Music

Rachel Roberts

*OYC participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to ⁠Amazon.com⁠ and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support!

Emiko Edwards is a pianist who attended Juilliard Pre-College for three years, then got her undergraduate degree from the Juilliard School, her masters from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and doctorate from Temple University. She is a performer both here in the US and abroad, as well as an educator, teaching as adjunct professor at Saint Joseph’s University, head of the piano department at Luzerne Music Center, and teaching a private studio as well.

𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐎’𝐒 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐒⁣

~ Current fav composer: Brahms⁣

~ Current fav piece of classical music: ⁠Brahms Piano Concerto, Leon Fleisher with The Cleveland Orchestra and George Szell⁠

~ Current fav soundtrack: ⁠Stardust⁠

~ Just finished reading: ⁠Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A novel by Gabrielle Zevin⁠; ⁠The Immoralists by Chloe Benjamin⁠; ⁠The Testaments by Margaret Atwood⁣⁠

~ Resources to check out: ⁠How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie⁠

Audible Free Trial

Amazon Music Free Trial

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝗪𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐎⁣

Emiko Edward’s Website: ⁠⁠http://www.emikoedwards.com⁠⁣

Emiko’s YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@emikoedwards⁣⁠

Luzerne Music Center: ⁠https://www.luzernemusic.org/piano⁣⁠

St Joseph’s University: ⁠https://directory.sju.edu/emiko-edwards⁣

⁣

𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐑⁣

YouTube Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCPf5xynqMHcFuQhCWrNCQ⁠⁣

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/orchestratingyourcareer/⁣

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/orchestratingyourcareer⁣

𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓⁣

Rebekah Carpio received her BMus in clarinet performance from the Eastman School of Music. She was awarded a Fulbright grant to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in their Orchestral Artistry program, which was in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra. She then went on to receive her PhD, also from the Guildhall School, researching the impact of education and community work in conservatoire training. ⁣

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝗪𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐑𝐄𝐁𝐄𝐊𝐀𝐇⁣

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bitesbybekah

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bitesbybekah.com⁠⁠⁠⁣

⁣

𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐒⁣

00:00 Introduction⁣

01:37 Intro to Episode⁣

2:54 Start of Interview⁣

3:24 Emiko’s Musical background⁣

5:22 Juilliard Precollege Experience⁣

8:50 Applying to (20!) Undergraduate Schools⁣

12:14 Juilliard Audition⁣

13:39 You just don’t know how you played (+ Lincoln Center Debut)⁣

16:36 Juilliard undergrad experience ⁣

19:51 Goals and Aspirations at Juilliard + Relationship with Your Teacher⁣

22:09 Practicing + Life at Juilliard ⁣

24:00 Learning about the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (GSMD)⁣

28:48 Applying to GSMD⁣

32:05 London Life ⁣

35:28 Studying at GSMD⁣

44:55 Transitioning Back to the US⁣

46:08 DMus at Temple University⁣

51:01 Transitioning into Musical Career⁣

53:40 NY Public Library at Lincoln Center Concert⁣

1:02:03 Concert Programming⁣

1:05:15 Education through Performance⁣

1:08:40 Breaking Down Current Career⁣

1:11:58 The Evolving Career Field⁣

1:16:28 Balancing Work + Life⁣

1:21:19 Rapid Fire Q&A ⁣

1:25:57 Final Piece of Advice⁣

1:27:27 Episode Outro⁣

1:28:06 Next Episode Teaser⁣

1:28:26 Emiko’s Piano Performances⁣

⁣

𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄⁣

Theme Music composed by Ben Roundtree

Emiko Performing Amy Beach’s Ballade Op. 6 ⁣

Emiko Performing Joan Tower’s Piano Concerto

⁣

𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓⁣

Juilliard School

Juilliard School

Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Temple University

⁠Saint Joseph’s University

Luzerne Music Center

Julian Martin

Orford Musique Academy

Banff Centre

Jonathan Vaughan

The Barbican Centre

Nelly Ben-Or MBE

BBC Total Immersion

Dr. Sara Davis Buechner

Lambert T. Orkis

Ursula Oppens

Brahms

Martha Argerich

Krystian Zimerman

⁣

*OYC participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to ⁠Amazon.com⁠ and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support!

Luci Disano is a clarinetist who has been a member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band since January of 2014, made her conducting debut in 2016, and also works as an arranger. She got her undergraduate degree from the Eastman School of Music, her masters from the University of Northern Colorado, and a doctorate of conducting from the University of Maryland.

In this interview Luci shares her experiences navigating her studies through three different degrees, her audition for the US Marine Band and the comedy of errors that led up to her winning a position, some highlights of her time playing in the band, as well as how she got into conducting and arranging. It’s inspiring to hear how she balances these many different parts of her career alongside her family life as a wife and new mother.

ABOUT THE HOST

Don Hoffman was a clarinetist (not retired) in the United States Army Band “Pershing's Own", and is a piano accompanist. He did his undergraduate degree at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, spent a year at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary, and did his master’s degree at Temple University before going on to win a job in the Army Band.

In this episode Don describes how his position has grown and evolved throughout his almost 30 years in the US Army Band, and he shares some really powerful stories, about how the Army band navigated through the national crises of 9/11 and the pandemic. As an accompanist, he also covers how he balances that alongside his clarinet playing.

ABOUT THE HOST

Emily Tsai is an oboist who did her undergraduate degree at the Eastman School of Music, then went to the University of Maryland School of Music to take part in their Woodwind Quintet Fellowship. She’s now a member of WindSync, the Assistant Principal of the Washington National Opera, and is back at the University of Maryland School of Music, this time as their oboe professor. I forgot to ask Emily how to connect with her and what she’s doing, but you can find links to her website and all of that information below!

Fav Pieces of Classical Music: ⁠⁠⁠La Mer (Montreal recording with Dutoit)

Current Fav Movie Soundtrack: ⁠⁠⁠Coco

⁠⁠⁠Last Read: ⁠⁠⁠My Brilliant Friend, by Elena Ferrante https://amzn.to/3ZTtl2J

Recommendations: Beef, on Netflix

Audible Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3PDwFu3⁠⁠

Amazon Music Free Trial: ⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/45289IV⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH EMILY

Website: ⁠⁠⁠ https://oboefriend-music.square.site/about

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OboeFriend

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oboefriend/

WindSync: https://www.windsync.org

Oboe Professor, UMD School of Music: https://music.umd.edu

Washington National Opera, Assistant Principal Oboe: https://www.kennedy-center.org/wno/

ORCHESTRATING YOUR CAREER

YouTube Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCPf5xynqMHcFuQhCWrNCQ

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/orchestrati...

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Stanford Thompson is a trumpet player who studied at the Curtis Institute of Music, who pivoted from a performance pathway to found an El Sistema inspired program called Play On Philly. After over ten years serving as their Executive Director, he took another turn in his career to start up a new organization, Equity Arc.

STAN’S EPISODE RESOURCES

ABOUT THE HOST