Dear Alma News Today

Dear Alma, I'm an oboist in a good orchestra, 32 years old, female, between relationships. A major donor has invited me to dinner at his house. I informed the orchestra president who said this guy has given $750,000 and promises more. He's about 60, divorced, presentable, owns a large and very uninteresting chunk of industry..

From our agony aunt's mailbag: Dear Alma, I am a third year college student, and have been transitioning from female to male over the past year. My close friends know and support this, and I feel ready to come out in my new body, my real body, at school. I was thinking of doing it

From out agony aunt's mailbag: Dear Alma, I am a violinist in my first year at music conservatory. My mother was (and still is) very involved in my life, practicing with me and attending lessons until just this year. I have been looking forward to going to college for a couple of years to finally

Dear Alma, There seems to be a new fad among conductors. Instead of sitting in a room offstage and studying their scores before rehearsal, they now run around the orchestra greeting each musician individually. There is much hugging and kissing. Unfortunately, I am a reserved, somewhat on-the-spectrum person who does not like to be hugged.

From our agony aunt's mailbag: Dear Alma, I have been playing a pedigree Cremona viola on loan from a private benefactor. My patron has died and his kids want the instrument back, probably to sell it. The asking price would be at least a million dollars beyond my dreams. I am 32 years old. I

Dear Alma I am a veteran university music teacher at a reputable school. Recently, I have been having feelings for one of my graduate students. It’s nothing that hasn’t happened before, and I have good self control and good behavior. In this case, I feel as if I may have crossed the line, possibly leaving

Dear Alma, I am a member of a very good orchestra. The person one stand over just won’t quit bothering me. They make constant comments on the most absurd things, like where my chair is in relation to their chair, if I am playing the right divisi, that my dynamic is incorrect, the list goes

From our agony aunt's mailbag: Dear Alma, I have been playing my instrument my whole life. I went to college in my town, play in the local orchestra, and teach some students. I am happy here, and have been doing this kind of thing for 7 years now. But should I go out and see

From our agony aunt: Dear Alma, I am an adult amateur violist; a retired professional who plays in my local adult orchestra and in a string quartet. My problem is my first violinist. She is very harsh in rehearsals, accusatory, and it makes things uncomfortable. Our group is well-matched in terms of ability, and I

From our agony aunt: Dear Alma, I am a wind player, middle-aged, with a job in an orchestra. I think I have focal dystonia, which hasn’t yet been diagnosed, despite repeated trips to various doctors. I have been trying to hide my inconsistencies from my section and orchestra for several years. I want to keep