Bocal trials and sales for Canadian bassoonists?? Let’s make it easier!!

With the changes in US customs, it has become very difficult for Canadian bassoonists to try new bocals. Fraser Valley bassoonist Dr. Linda Kaastra is organizing a “Bocal Marketplace” as part of the Council’s website.  The goal is to facilitate the trial and/or purchase of bocals within Canada and avoid the complications of importing American items.

The Council would like to understand how bassoonists are coping with the bocals they have, whether they would like to try new bocals, and which makes and models of bocals may be available for trial in Canada. Please share this questionnaire with anyone who may be interested in participating.

This questionnaire is intended to facilitate the trial and/or purchase of bocals within Canada.

• Where in Canada do you reside?
• What make and model of bocals do you currently use?
• What makes and models would you like to try?
• What makes and models do you own but not use?
• Are you willing to offer trials of any bocals?
• If so, are you willing to ship them for trial?
• Under what conditions would you be willing to let someone else try your unused bocals? (e.g. local only, or shipping in hard case, with or without deposit, through a personal contact or business, with shipping costs reimbursed by interested party)
• What concerns might you have about lending bocals for trial?
• Do you support the idea of a “lending library” of bocals for Canadian bassoonists to try?
• Would you be willing to contribute to that library?
• Which bocals would you prioritize for a lending library that will serve the needs of bassoonists from across the spectrum of performance interests? Feel free to specify if you have experience pairing bocals with instruments and/or performance situations.

You can reach Dr. Kaastra by email: lindatkaastra@icloud.com