This evening we played our first concert of the season (3 total 
).
This one was outdoors and since that meant no timpani for me, I played the oboe on everything.
wonder of wonders-
I made it through Carmen!!! 
Exhaustion has set in and now I must collapseā¦
Way to go on the oboe.
Cheers.
Glad it went well! Get some recuperative rest. Whenās the next one?
Hmm, I realized Iād eaten no supper. Food does wonders.
The next concert- is our āmainā concert- I get to flail away on timpani 
. Itās in mid June. Whatās gonna make it so much more fun is that I have five new timpani drums to play this year, as opposed to the two old worn out ones I had last year. Now I can get all the notes I need. 
The only piece, Iāll play on oboe for this concert will be the Finale from a Haydn symphony called The Farewell. (no percussion) Itāll be kinda different, since as a part ends,all at differing times, players leave the stage until eventually everyone is gone but a couple of violins. Even the conductor leaves early. Weāve got several pieces that are a tuning challenge, like the James Bond medley we are doing, but some that are just pure fun.
This next concert will be stressful too, but in a much different way than playing oboe. Iām torn between these two instruments, so decided that since I only have the opportunity to play timpani at this one concert, thatās what Iād do.
Granted we play dumbed down versions,donāt think we are some fantastic orchestra, but the pieces challenge most of us and itās so much fun learning and playing, then hearing the sound we produce as a group . Once in a while, Iām really surprised at what we can actually do.
If any of yāall have the opportunity to join a community orchestra you should do it.
May the other concerts go swimmingly for you! 
What a special and lucky community you have.
It sounds like a wonderful show coming up! Wish we were close enough to attend! One of my nieces is a drummer, another a flautist, and even they are too far away. 
I knew you would, but itās still a good reason for a party anyway! 
Congratulations! I hope the rest go great as well. I wouldnāt mind a sound sample or two either. 
Sometimes the conductor records us at the main concert. If anything sounds decent it might be a possibilityā¦
Iām envious of your ability to play in a community orchestra. I would have liked to do that. I played guitar when I was in school, but there was no place in the band or orchestra for me.
The choice between timpani and oboe is an interesting one. I donāt think that that it would be very common for a person to have both of those skills. Best wishes.