I would buy a cheap plastic instrument and bring that. Something like a used student model, or even a super low-end new instrument. Because here’s some real talk – your high performance beautiful intonation horn that makes you sound like an angel *will absolutely not* perform as it does normally.

I also come from a very humid climate so the shock to Bruce (my Playa bassoon) is something I actively have to mitigate. I feel compelled to add, since hearing that a bassoon goes out to the dessert might make you feel courageous: while Bruce means the world to me, she isn’t really a great instrument and had sat unused in the back of my closet for over a decade before attending That Thing in the Desert, AND I have a regular, non-playa bassoon for civilized non-desert feral situations.

If you can’t buy a cheap instrument, you could rent. I think a fair amount of people do. If I haven’t dissuaded you yet from bringing your treasured musical magic wand, there are tips and tricks I can share.

As for what you can expect while playing: your reed will dry out really fast if you’re still using cane reeds. Like while you are actively playing a passage. Consider getting a plastic reed. I usually have multiple reeds soaking so I can rotate mid-performance, but that’s probably not a viable solution for a single reed.

Keypads might fall off, and cork shrinkage might produce leaks. Bring extra pads, glue, and tooth floss.

You can make individual wrappers for each of the parts of your instrument out of thin disposable emergency blankets, wrapping them like pieces of almond roca inside the case. This will help ease the shock of transitioning to the desert atmosphere. I found they disintegrate too quickly to be of use all week, but it helps with the initial shock.

Clean, clean, clean, as best you can, each time. Sometimes that means just putting it back in the case as quick as possible until the whiteout passes, and then taking it back out to swab. (This year I’m considering bringing multiple silks, so I can use a clean one each time I swab so I’m never dragging a dusty silk through my instrument.)

And just as important as your instrument is your case. They make GIANT ziplock storage bags. I get one big enough to put my bassoon case in. I cannot recommend that enough. And if you DO end up renting, do not – I repeat DO NOT- bring the case they give you.

As wind players we have the added challenge to keep ourselves hydrated and fueled up enough to not pass out when we play. Really, really keep up with your water intake before and during rehearsals. Especially hydrate during the first practices, before you’re fully acclimated. Someone always locks their knees and passes out, don’t let it be you!!!

I’d invest in a super slim collapsible stand, we are tasked with bringing our own. Also, a small but sturdy camp stool or chair if you need it.

Put your music in a 3 ring binder and slip the sheets into those plastic sleeves with the holes. Bring paper clips or clips to hold the music down. In my experience, what works best for weighting the stand is a gallon jug of water, a carabiner, and a short length of whatever to lash them together.