Classically Speaking

You may have noticed an unusual musical event on this month's classical calendar -- Oboes on the Ohio. It's a celebration of all things double-reed (while oboes are in the name, bassoon and English horn are definitely welcome). The festival is for students, teachers, performers, and anyone interested in the instruments.

The one-day festival on the Ohio River will include performances, lectures, workshops, classes, vendors, demonstrations, and chamber music readings. Quartetto Gelato's athletic oboist Colin Maier is one of the featured performers.

The oboe player at the heart of the festival is William Baker, whose many accomplishments include 16 years as the principal oboist of the Columbus Symphony, being a founding member of the Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, and teaching for many years as oboe professor at Ohio State University. He also has a wonderfully wry of talking about the oboe. Take a few minutes to listen to our interview about the festival and some of his other experiences in music:

Oboes on the Ohio takes place August 6 at the Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre in Gallipolis, Ohio. You can find out more about the event on the event website.

Bonus track: William Baker explains why oboe players need to be good with a knife

It's the last quiet month before concert seasons and college music programs really get started. Here are the concerts that I've found around the region. Let me know if I'm missing anything:)

Aug. 6: Oboes on the Ohio

Aug. 7, 7pm: Kevin Michael, violin (Vance Memorial Presbyterian, Wheeling)

Aug.13: Paul Jacobs, organ (Upper St. Clair, PA)

Aug. 20: Huntington Symphony Orchestra Picnic with the Pops

Aug. 21: Pipes and Pedals at PamelArt: An Introduction to the Pipe Organ (Montrose)

Aug. 23: Peter Amstutz, piano (WVU Faculty Recital)

Aug. 27: Schmidt Vocal Competition (WVU)

Aug. 28: Lillian Long, organ (Alderson-Broaddus Faculty Recital)

Sept. 4: WV Symphony at Haddad Riverfront Park

Sept. 4: Wheeling Symphony Under the Stars

I can't resist adding just a little something to this page. Here's a musical treat from Copenhagen to brighten a muggy Monday morning:)

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