SaxRox.com.au

Online Home of Musician Russell Oxley

Dec 31

Opening Night!!!

Spamalot is opening tonight, NYE for a special 5pm show. The dress rehearsals have been going really well and I am playing the book better and better every night. I hope that will continue for the run of the show!!! I’m really starting to get my way around the lower end of the Low C bass clarinet and it sounds awesome!! Discovered a leak in the low C# key today so Kara and I did a quick running repair and it makes things a lot easier. I need to glue another cork back on again and will have to remember to do that tomorrow.

I’m loving the reed 2 book in Spamalot. Some really jazzy numbers on sax, a bit of klezmer and some beautiful ballad playing on clarinet and the awesome, terrifically fun bass clarinet parts. I’m loving getting more of a handle of that instrument and playing with more confidence means an increase in volume so I can now actually hear what I’m playing, as can my reed playing companion for the show, Kara.

It’s really hot here but I’m going to do my best to sleep so I can be all prepared for the show tomorrow night. It’s going to be a short run but heaps of fun. I just wish I could see what is going on on stage!!!

Dec 19

On Holidays now!!

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School is finished for another year and now I only have my two private students to teach from here on out. I am finishing up with Musicorp and a little scared about the lack of certain work next year. I’m taking a leap of faith and hoping that my internet business start taking off shortly. I will be completing my Grad Dip of Education to become a fully qualified teacher and will then look for a department teaching job a few days a week in 2011. There are several jobs available next year but I haven’t gone for any yet and might now be too late. I’m sure there’ll be some more jobs at the start of next year if I need them.

We’ve begun rehearsals for the PLOS production of Monthy Python’s Spamalot which opens on NYE. I’m playing reed 2, clarinet, bass clarinet and tenor saxophone. I’ve just been able to get a hold of a very nice bass clarinet to low C so now have to learn how to get around those extra keys. Should be fun and I’m glad I have a little spare time to do the practice. It’s going to be a fun show, great cast, the band is awesome and I’ve only been to 2 rehearsals so far!! Make sure if you get the chance to check it out.

Tagged with: bass clarinet • rehearsal • rehearsals • Saxophone • spamalot • tenor saxophone

Dec 10

Almost the holidays!!

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It’s been a really full on year for me, lots of teaching, lots of gigs and I’ve been a bit overwhelmed to be quite honest. I’m looking forward to having a bit of a break very soon. I should say though, that I’m so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had this year. I’ve played in several musicals and been able to play some new instruments and had plenty of fun at the same time.

Had the first rehearsal last night for the PLOS production of Spamalot and that is going to be heaps of fun!!! Some interesting and tricky clarinet playing required and some nice bass clarinet lines too. Even get to play my tenor sax which is always a good thing.

I have a few new internet ventures starting up and more will come over the holidays, when I finally get some time to devote to it. I have another couple of sites up, cookbooksnow.com and getsnowglobes.com Drop by them and give them a look and see if you find anything of use to you. I’m working on new sites constantly, slowly expanding my internet empire….ha, ha, ha!!

I’m sure I’ll be back before Christmas but I’ll take this opportunity to wish anyone who reads this a very Happy Christmas and hope you get to spend some wonderful time with your families. See you soon

Tagged with: bass clarinet • gigs • Musicals • rehearsal • sax • spamalot • tenor sax