Oboe Slander

About Oboe Slander

We're a podcast bringing oboe insights, gossip, and fun because the oboe deserves to be celebrated not isolated!

Publisher

Matthew and LaBarrin

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Oct 2025

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Still Reeding, Still Slandering

   In this episode of Oboe Slander, hosts Matthew and LaBarrin reflect on their experiences over the past year, discussing their academic pursuits, reed-making challenges, and upcoming auditions. They share personal anecdotes about their lives, including their artistic endeavors and the joys and struggles of being musicians. The conversation revolves around personal experiences, particularly focusing on birthdays, musical performances, and the challenges faced during outdoor concerts. The hosts share anecdotes about their lives, reflecting on the passage of time, the joy of music, and the impact of recent events in their community. In this conversation, LaBarrin and Matthew discuss their experiences at a recent double reed meetup, sharing humorous anecdotes and insights about their interactions with fellow musicians. They also touch on the challenges of teaching and the dynamics of their musical community. Takeaways Reflecting on past experiences Navigating academic and musical challenges Celebrating birthdays fosters connection Outdoor concerts present unique challenges Humor in musical interactions Challenges in teaching music Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back: A Year in Review 01:02 Academic Adventures and Challenges 06:48 The Art of Read-Making 12:45 Gigs and Performances: Sharing Experiences 23:33 Celebrating Birthdays and Personal Milestones 24:55 Celebrating Birthdays and Connections 30:49 Musical Performances and Experiences 37:11 Challenges of Outdoor Concerts 46:41 Reflections on Loss and Community 50:49 Flagged Conversations and Humor 51:36 Serious Guests and Uncomfortable Questions 52:44 Event Recap: Double Reed Meetup 54:48 Performance Challenges and Rehearsal Stories 56:50 Faculty Recital and Celebrity Encounters 59:55 Teaching Experiences and Read Making Challenges 01:02:33 Puppy Encounters and Event Highlights 01:05:23 Teaching Dynamics and Student Interactions 01:11:40 Reflections on Musical Community and Events 01:14:11 Looking Ahead: New Season and Future Plans

2. 

   1 Sept 2026

   Season 1 Finale: Reedjustments

   The conversation begins with a recap of season one and anticipation for season two. It then transitions into a discussion about the preparation for auditions and upcoming performance engagements. The conversation delves into the reed-making process, adjustments, and personal experiences, providing insights into the intricacies of the craft and the unique experiences of the speakers. The conversation covers podcast planning, content creation, and personal updates and experiences. The hosts discuss the challenges and joys of podcasting, as well as their individual experiences and activities. The episode provides insights into the behind-the-scenes work of podcast production and the personal lives of the hosts.

3. 

   3 Aug 2026

   Corn Sweats

   The conversation covers a range of topics, including summer adventures, life updates, oboe reeds and gigs, officiating a wedding, instrument repair, elevation challenges, and performance experiences. Matthew and LaBarrin share their experiences with outdoor concerts, instrument maintenance, and the impact of elevation on performance. They also discuss their gig experiences and the challenges they faced during performances. The conversation covers a range of topics, including chamber music performances, the Southern Oboe Intensive experience, and highlights from the IDRS conference. The speakers discuss their experiences, challenges, and takeaways from these events, providing valuable insights into the world of music performance and education. The conversation covers a range of experiences at the IDRS conference, including recital highlights, concert experiences, chamber music and readings, health and wellness sessions, scheduling challenges, diverse performances, master classes and rehearsals, exploration of Baroque music, and social interactions. The conversation covers highlights from a conference, connections with Oboe Chicago and UNCG, experiences at a recital and gala concert, exploration of the exhibit hall, and future conference plans.

4. 

   1 Jul 2026

   Vivid Dreams and Vague Agreements

   The conversation covers a range of topics including musical experiences, oboe reads and gigs, dream interpretation, and the impact of new medication on dream vividness. The hosts also discuss their movie experiences, including a liminal horror film. The conversation covers a range of topics, including lighthearted oboe banter and musings, as well as a discussion on orchestra contracts and agreements. The hosts engage in humorous and insightful dialogue, providing a glimpse into the world of musicians and the challenges they face.

5. 

   1 Jun 2026

   Concert Highs, Concert Lows

   The conversation covers a range of topics, including personal updates, Snapchat concerts, reed making, and favorite concerts of the season. The hosts also discuss memorable performances, weather changes, and the challenges of gigging. The conversation covers the experiences of the speakers with various concerts, including their favorite and least favorite ones. They also discuss their plans for the summer and their goals related to oboe playing.

6. 

   1 May 2026

   Death and Transfiguration of Our Sanity

   Matthew and LaBarrin discuss their recent experiences, including Matthew's European excursion and LaBarrin's attendance at the IDRS Mid-North Conference. They also share their thoughts on reed profiling and its impact on their reed-making process. The conversation covers a range of topics including reed-making, orchestra performances, and personal experiences with music. Both speakers share insights into their recent gigs and the challenges they faced. They also discuss the impact of specific orchestra pieces on their musical journeys. The conversation covers a range of topics including musical performances, anxiety, and health concerns. The hosts share personal experiences and insights related to performance anxiety, health anxiety, and the impact of chronic illness on musical performances. They also discuss the differences between jazz and classical musicians in handling performance stress.

7. 

   1 Apr 2026

   IDRS, IRS, and the Audition Spiral

   The conversation covers topics such as reed maintenance in dry climates, challenges of reed scraping and maintenance, the impact of humidity on reed performance, concert experiences and audience engagement, video game music in orchestral performances, experiences at the IDRS conference, and tax preparation for musicians. Each chapter delves into the unique challenges and experiences faced by musicians in these areas, providing valuable insights and perspectives. The conversation covers the topics of audition preparation and the read-making process, providing insights into the methods and challenges of preparing for auditions and creating oboe reads. The hosts share their experiences and strategies for these essential aspects of their musical careers.

8. 

   1 Mar 2026

   Canceled Gigs and Cracked Oboes

   The conversation covers a range of topics including reflections on the new year, reed making and maintenance, band arrangements and preferences, upcoming gigs and cancellations, freelance challenges, and instrument mishaps and care. The conversation covers the mishap with an oboe, the search for a new oboe, challenges faced in performance venues, practice techniques, teaching and learning music, and the experience with body percussion. It also highlights the challenges in music education and the importance of understanding music theory. Takeaways Freelance challenges Instrument care Gig cancellations Practice techniques for musicians Challenges faced by musicians in performance venues

9. 

   1 Feb 2026

   Different Reeds for Different Crimes

   The conversation covers a range of topics including hot wings, school assignments, upcoming trips, reed making, and the use of different reeds for various types of gigs and performances. The hosts also discuss their preferences for reeds in auditions and the challenges of playing difficult excerpts in front of an audience. The conversation covers various topics related to oboe playing, including experiences with different reeds, challenges with synthetic reeds, and the adaptation required for different playing situations. The hosts share anecdotes, insights, and reflections on these themes, providing a comprehensive exploration of oboe-related experiences and challenges. Takeaways Different reeds are used for different types of gigs and performances. The choice of reeds for auditions is based on comfort and familiarity rather than just sound quality. Adapting to different reeds for different playing situations Challenges and experiences with synthetic reeds

10. 

    15 Jan 2026

    Heated Practice Rooms

    The conversation covers the challenges of oboe reed-making, holiday activities and experiences, and a discussion of the TV show 'Heated Rivalry.' The topics include the struggles of making oboe reeds in fluctuating weather, holiday break experiences, and even more discussion of the TV show 'Heated Rivalry.' The conversation covers the transition from school to real life, the challenges of being a musician, the social aspects of school, time management, reed-making challenges, and professional networking. It also explores the entertainment industry and the balancing of work and music in professional life.

11. 

    1 Jan 2026

    Formal Wear and False Promises

    In this episode of Oboe Slander, hosts LaBarrin Wallace and Matthew Covington discuss their recent holiday performances, teaching experiences, and the humorous moments that arise in the classroom. They share personal anecdotes about injuries sustained during performances, the challenges of dress codes in orchestra, and their New Year's resolutions aimed at improving their musical practices. The conversation also touches on the importance of reeds in performance and concludes with listener feedback and engagement.

12. 

    15 Dec 2025

    Gigmas

    In this episode, LaBarrin and Matthew dive into the busy season of Gigmas, discussing their experiences with reeds, performances, and the challenges of balancing music with academic pursuits. They share humorous anecdotes from holiday concerts, engage with listener feedback, and explore the transition from paper to digital music in performances. The conversation highlights the joys and struggles of being a musician, fostering a sense of community among oboists.

13. 

    1 Dec 2025

    Formatting For Good

    In this episode of Oboe Slander, hosts Matthew Covington and LaBarrin Wallace discuss their recent gigs and reed-making experiences, share insights on resumes and CVs for musicians, and dive into a lively discussion about the sequel film Wicked:For Good. They also touch on rehearsal etiquette, particularly regarding phone usage, and wrap up with a preview of future topics.

14. 

    15 Nov 2025

    New Faces, Same Chaos

    In this episode, LaBarrin Wallace and Matthew Covington discuss the humorous and serious aspects of auditioning, the challenges of reed performance in varying weather conditions, and share personal stories from their recent gigs. They also delve into the frustrations of orchestra committees and the complexities of scheduling meetings, highlighting the importance of communication and collaboration among musicians.

15. 

    1 Nov 2025

    How We Met (and Other Oboe Disasters)

    In this episode of Oboe Slander, hosts Matthew and LaBarrin explore their friendship origins, share reed-making experiments, discuss recent gigs, and celebrate audition wins in the oboe community. They also reflect on their experiences in master classes, roast wind quintets, and express their preferences for chamber music, particularly trios. The conversation is filled with humor, insights, and a candid look at the life of oboists. No

16. 

    15 Oct 2025

    Meet the Slanderers

    Matthew and LaBarrin introduce themselves and the podcast. Talk about reeds, life as an oboist in the modern world, and have a Hoe-Down.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings