Made in the Hudson Valley: A. Laubin Oboes continues family legacy
Laubin follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, Alred Laubin, and his father, Paul Laubin, continuing to provide the care and craftsmanship necessary for an instrument that's dear to their hearts.
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From symphonic sounds soaring into the skies to machines perfecting each instrument's detail, it's music to the worker's ears at A. Laubin Oboes in Holmes.
"My grandfather started the company," said Alex Laubin, third-generation Master Instrument Maker at A. Laubin Oboes. "He made his first instrument in 1931. He basically worked in his basement for a long time, developing the instruments before he turned it into a full-time business in about 1950."
Laubin follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, Alred Laubin, and his father, Paul Laubin, continuing to provide the care and craftsmanship necessary for an instrument that's dear to their hearts.
"My grandfather was an oboe player," he said. "He was a professional…and he wasn't satisfied with the instruments at the time. There were certain issues with the instruments that he wanted to fix, and he felt like he could maybe make a better instrument if he tried. So he did. He made his first instrument when he was about 25 without the proper tools. He just went for it in his basement with a handheld drill and hand tools like anyone would have in their garage at the time."
Laubin's grandfather wasn't the only professional player to take on a Laubin oboe. As decades went by, their instruments soared in popularity, being played by professionals from all over the world.
"It's amazing," Laubin gushed. "I mean, it's great to have something that you worked hard on on a big stage, and have somebody who's one of the best musicians in the world playing that instrument and making it sound great."
It's a full-circle moment for Laubin, who feels connected to his roots and is honored to continue the family legacy here in the Hudson Valley.
"I never met my grandfather," he said. "I just watched a video of him the other day, speaking in a television interview from 1973 or 1974, which was amazing to me. I have a lot of admiration for both my father and my grandfather and what they did in the company, and I'm just looking forward to bringing my energy to it."
One thing Laubin plans to reintroduce to the business soon is the English Horn, which the company used to make decades ago.
A. Laubin Oboes is located at 3888 NY-52 in Holmes.
