GAME CHANGING MOMENTS

BY DAVID SUSSMAN, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OBOE

Becoming a professional musician demands a huge amount of training, practise, and commitment, and a real willingness to do the hard work required. Many of us have had moments of insight, inspiration, or clarity that changed things for us and helped us follow the path that has led to the CPO.

One game-changing moment occurred for me when I entered Grade 7 in a junior high school with an instrumental music programme. I had been studying violin privately from the age of seven and enjoyed it very much, but now I got to pick an instrument of my choice. I heard concerts of my older brothers’ band classes and was fascinated by the unique and beautiful sound of the oboe — I particularly recall an oboe solo in The Little Drummer Boy. Once I started playing it, I discovered that it felt more natural for me to phrase music with the air than with a bow. I loved the solo bits given to the oboe, too. I had chosen an instrument that I felt a special connection to and experienced joy every time I picked it up.

In my early teens I began playing oboe in youth and community orchestras. I revelled in being in the midst of all that amazing sound. It was a visceral thrill that I still experience to this day. I heard many pieces for the first time from inside the orchestra and that was game changing. I still remember playing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 at a reading session of a community orchestra and thinking “What a fantastic piece of music!” I felt a part of this group that collectively created a wonderful soundscape at that particular moment. I enjoyed the interplay of the different parts and instruments and how it all worked together. Despite my obvious love of music, I entered a bachelor of science programme at university, thinking music would be a lifelong hobby. I found myself playing rehearsals and concerts rather than studying for final exams. I would go to concerts of professional orchestras and wonder if it could be me playing in that group. I knew that I had to give a musical career a try or I would kick myself for the rest of my life. I did finish that BSc, but auditioned for and was accepted into music school. My first day in music classes at university felt so natural to me — I knew I was in the right game.

Each CPO musician has their own tale of special moments that gave them a sense of direction and purpose in following a musical path. We will continue to have memorable times as our careers evolve, but remember with special fondness these formative game-changing experiences.