The Really Terrible Orchestra Of the Triangle (RTOOT)

who are we? -- woodwinds section


Kathy Hancock is principal flautist with the Really Terrible Orchestra Of the Triangle (RTOOT). She started playing flute in the 5th grade and faked her way all the way through college (FSU). Recently, she decided to take lessons and join RTOOT. Soon she will be way too good to play for us. Mary Forrester is a recent addition as well. In the middle of our spring 2010 season, we were fortunate to have added Vickie Carpenter.

We are very fortunate also that
Charles Elliot found us, oboe in hand. Welcome! In addition to his talent -- far too great for The Really Terrible Orchestra Of the Triangle (RTOOT) -- he has donated generously of his collection of orchestral music and is recognized as a Terrible Patron. We recently welcomed Randy Alley on second oboe.

We have on clarinet
Amber Gorski. She quotes her husband as saying he's going to have to get himself a copy of A Tale of Two Cities to read at future concerts. Amber is also our concertmaster, since we didn’t know that the concertmaster was supposed to be a violin. When The Really Terrible Orchestra Of the Triangle (RTOOT) was organized, we just got together and figured out that Amber was the best player. So we made her the concertmaster. We hope this doesn’t upset your musical sensibilities nor cause the music world to fall to pieces. Also on clarinet, we have Amanda Jacob and Donna Bennett. As a child, Donna was asked not to sing -- and started playing the clarinet.  She is a former MOBster (Marching Owl Band), who enjoys playing in venues other than Texas football stadiums. We are astounded to report that Richard Titus of Sanford plans to drive each week to our Sunday rehearsals in order to play the clarinet badly. Actually, his wife Virginia drives him, so we owe it all to her.

As of the spring 2010 season we have four bassoons and we are delighted to welcome
Patty Knio, who comments that, “From 1998 till 2006 I lived with my family in Lebanon where I spoke Arabic quite terribly but learned to make pretty good hummus.  I’m glad to be home now where organizations such as RTOOT are possible, as the Beirut Symphony simply wouldn’t have me.” Jody Frank's bassoon began playing with her in Chicago, moved on to Ann Arbor, then Christchurch (as in New Zealand), and finally, after living in Raleigh NC almost 20 years, they are able to play together again. When she is not running cross-country, riding horses, or asking for the car keys, high-schooler Melanie Bennett enjoys being mostly still and playing bassoon.   You may see her doing homework during long rests. Rounding out the bassoons is Barbara Dixon. Our percussionist,

Our resident composter,
Enrique Varela also plays the E-flat alto sax whenever Mr. Hobgood takes the time to create a part for him. Handel and Tchaikovsky did not write for alto sax.

From time to time, Mr. Hobgood himself joins the woodwinds section, to play the clarinet, Terribly.