Sadah Webster worked professionally as an Oboist in Australia and the UK. He was thrust into the spotlight early in his studies, and says he was petrified all the time and burned out before he left music school. The combination of unrealistic expectations in the sector and having to play the game a certain way in order to succeed were primary motivators in him leaving a freelance music career.
A former professional oboe and cor anglais player based in London, Sadah Webster now works as an investigator and intelligence analyst. Investigating whistleblower complaints and misuses of public office.
QUOTES
“I was halfway through a Bachelor of Music degree when I took a year off to study linguistics and live in Thailand.”
“I didn’t know what I was doing, I was petrified all the time and I was burned out.”
“Looking back, emotionally, I think the fact that I was advanced as a player quite early on and I got thrown into a lot of stuff which was great for my playing but emotionally I wasn't ready.”
“Because I had solely focussed on being an Oboist, I didn’t know anything else.”
“I had various attempts at retraining, but a sense of purpose came much later in my emotional journey.”
“As a freelancer, you never know why you don’t get booked.”
“The context in which we learn perpetuates “there’s something wrong with me” and the same toxic productivity runs through the law school as in music school.”
“Assumptions are being made about your work ethic, motivation and ability to use your time. I had been told by various teachers that I was lazy when I couldn't practice more because instead I had to work to earn a living.”
“The only tool the teachers have is “well just practice more”.
“The work was more stressful than enjoyable, the balance had totally shifted and I was just exhausted.”
“The cost benefit analysis of being an oboist doesn’t make sense, but I didn’t know how to make that assessment when I was studying.”
LINKS
PODCAST TEAM
Production Support from Molly Jenkins
Audio Engineering from Frazer Ruddick
Theme Music Composed by Danna Yun
Theme Music Performed by Jasper Ly
RECORDED
Recorded on 24 October 2021