Post 45: Young Harris Clarinet Summit, April 1 2017

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Here at Onks Woodwind Specialists, we love educating our clients about instrument maintenance just as much as serving them through instrument repair.  We feel if we can help our clients extend the life of their instruments through general knowledge of handling and maintenance, our clients will be equally happy with their instruments over time, not just after they have been serviced in the shop.

Recently Jonathan was honored to speak at the 4th annual Young Harris College Clarinet Summit.  During his time at the summit, Jonathan spoke to the participants about acceptable clarinet handling and general thoughts on maintenance.  Jonathan also performed several evaluations of participants’ clarinets.  This gave those lucky participants a one-on-one session with Jonathan specific to their own clarinet’s needs and maintenance.  A special thank you to Leigh Miller for inviting Jonathan to speak and experience the Young Harris Clarinet Summit!

 

 

Post 44: Overnight Success

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After visiting the Laubin oboe shop in Peekskill NY, Jason is yet again reminded that success is not gained “overnight.”  In our fast-paced world, we often forget that work which is important, work that matters, is work that is done day in and day out without fanfare.  If you are looking for greatness or public reward in your daily work, you will all too often be disappointed.  But in the case of A. Laubin, Inc., daily diligence for decades has afforded them public success!

 

Post 41: Meeting Tom Hiniker

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Onks Woodwind went on the road.  Jason and Keith took an educational trip to Rochester, Minnesota where the famous Tom Hiniker lives and works.  Tom not only can repair an oboe, but is mainly known for the oboes that he builds.  Yes, Tom Hiniker builds oboes!  He is one of a small handful of people that make oboes on a small scale in the United States. Driving by his house you would never imagine that a world class oboe maker lives and works there.  There are no signs or any other indicators that would suggest oboe awesomeness is taking place at that location.   Read more

Post 32: UNLV, Bocal Majority Camp a Success!

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I’m finally able to update you on my trip to Las Vegas!  Over MLK weekend, I was honored to be one of the presenters at the UNLV Bocal Majority Bassoon/Oboe Camp.  I presented a short clinic on things I feel young oboists can do to lengthen the lives of their oboes.  Also throughout the weekend I was able to make adjustments on the participants’ oboes, which I hope made their lives a little easier.  Many will say that we, Onks Woodwind Specialists, repair oboes and clarinets.  But I’d say we restore happiness!  Learning to play the oboe, bassoon or clarinet has enough challenges without having faulty equipment.  It never gets old to see the smile on someone’s face after we are able to remedy their instrument’s troubles.

One of the other great perks of attending an event of this nature is reconnecting with friends and meeting new ones.  My close friend, Hannah Selznick of Hannah’s Oboes, also attended and brought many fine oboes for the kids to try.  Hannah is one of a kind, and it has been a privilege to get to know her over the past years.  For your next oboe purchase, visit Hannah’s website www.hannahsoboes.com

I was also very fortunate to meet my two newest friends,  Dr. Stephen Caplan and Mr. Peter Cooper.  Both of these gentlemen have enough accolades to fill up the internet, they sound amazing and have a wealth of knowledge to offer anyone that wants to learn about the oboe.  BUT, the quality that most impressed me was how humble both Dr. Caplan and Mr. Cooper were.  They are easy to talk to and were great with the kids at this event.  It is always a privilege to meet people that are at the top of their fields, yet still enjoy spending time helping others and are humbled to do so.  If you are an oboist and nearing college age, I’m sure Dr. Caplan and Mr. Cooper would be honored to have you attend their respective universities.  Click on their names to learn more about these two extraordinary gentlemen.