Amy Sandlin, Oboe/English Horn

Amy   comes from a family of musicians and artists.  Her father  played trumpet, and performed throughout eastern North Carolina with his big band, The Lloyd Hinson Orchestra, and his beach band, Shaggin'.  Amy's brother is a trumpet player in Raleigh, performing  at   DPAC with various musicals throughout the year, as well as groups such as the Four Tops and the Temptations.  Amy's mother was an artist whose paintings focus on scenes from coastal North Carolina.  

Amy earned her Bachelor and Master of Music Education from East Carolina University.   She taught in North Carolina for 28 years, most recently at Holly Shelter Middle School in Castle Hayne.   In August 2022, she became the Orchestra Operations Coordinator for the Wilmington Symphony and enjoys working the musicians of both the WSO and the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra.    In addition to music, she also enjoys  artistic endeavors such as cake decorating  and painting.  

Here's an interview with Amy in 2022:

How long have you played your instrument(s)?
I started band in 5th grade on clarinet in 1979.  I played bass clarinet for a while and finally switched to oboe in 8th grade.    I  heard the song "Do You Know Where You're Going To" on the radio, and fell in love with the sound of the oboe.  I had to ask my band director what instrument it was, and asked if I could play it.  Our school didn't have one, so he bought one  for me to learn.  

How long have you been a Wilmington Symphony Orchestra musician?
My first gig with the WSO was as a college student at ECU in the early 90s, but I became a member in 1995.

What do you do for a career?
I recently retired after 28 years of teaching middle school band, most recently at Holly Shelter Middle School in Castle Hayne, NC.   I now work for the WSO as Orchestra Operations Coordiantor!

Where did you grow up?
In a very small town called Laurel Hill NC - about 2 hours away from here!

What is your favorite song, artist, and/or musical memory?
That's almost impossible to answer! I love Bach, but I also like 3 Doors Down and Evanescence! My favorite musical memory is playing a family recital with my Dad and brother, who are both trumpet players, and my step-mother and sister in law, who play piano.

Favorite meal or restaurant?
Any place that serves crab legs!

Favorite beverage?
My morning cup of coffee.

What is your favorite vacation?
Any place tropical, but my most favorite place is Ocracoke NC.

You're stuck on a desert island... What book, music/album/artist and/or movie do you want with you??
Again, almost an impossible question to answer. As for music - I couldn't settle on any one, so I'd have to cheat and say a mix-tape of all my favorites! I don't have a favorite book, so I'd probably want an instructional manual on how to build a raft. My favorite movie would probably have to be Titanic.

What's your pet situation?
We have a beautiful mixed breed named Roxie, and a 2-year-old brindle lab/hound mix named Boone, who is a handful! 

What do you want people to know about the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra?
It's a great place to play and they have grown tremendously during the 25 years I've been with them!

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