10. Ann Blackburn: Life as an Oboist with the MSO, Winning a Job and the Art of Reed-Making

Ann Blackburn is our special guest this week, a full-time oboist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO).

Ann was very generous to share so much with us, and I learnt a lot in this conversation. We dive further into the classic music scene as Ann shares about life as an orchestral musician, its pros and cons, practice and performances, ‘winning a job’, study, comradery, and even reed-making.

Ann has had a prolific career, performing with essentially all major Australian professional orchestras, the Australian and Victorian Operas, and worked internationally with orchestras and her chamber group, including in Germany, New Zealand and Malaysia. She has held the second oboe chair with the MSO since 2013.

For more information and links to videos of Ann teaching reed making basics and playing, visit our website:

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/annblackburn