Oboe Holiday 2014
June 16 – 20
Monday, June 16, 12-5 PM
12:00 PM Discussion 101: Introductions, Goals and the value of “Mistakes”
1:00 PM Discussion 101: Balancing your inner “Witness” and “Participant”
2:30 PM Embouchure Exercises: Exercises to “turn on” your sound
3:30 PM Repertoire Class with Lee Jordan-Anders, piano
5-6 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders, lessons with George Corbett
Tuesday, June 17, 12-5 PM
11-12 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders, lessons with George Corbett
12:00 PM Discussion 101: Creating good warm-up and practice habits
1:00 PM Breathing 101: The Breathing Mechanism
2:30 PM Discussion 101: Putting Personality into your Solo
3:30 PM Repertoire Class
5-6 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders, lessons with George Corbett
Wednesday, June 18, 12-5 PM
11-12 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders, lessons with George Corbett
10-12 PM * Repair Appointments with Brian Seaton
12:00 PM Discussion 102: AUDITIONS? OMG!!!
1:00 PM Reed Class: The Basis of Reed-Making
2:30 PM Discussion 101: Marking your Music
3:30 PM Repertoire Class
5-9 PM * Repair Appointments with Brian Seaton
5-6 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders, lessons with George Corbett
Thursday, June 19, 12-5 PM
11-12 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders, lessons with George Corbett
10-12 PM * Repair Appointments with Brian Seaton
12:00 PM Breathing 102: Awakening the Breath
12:45 PM Oboe Maintenance and Repairs: presented by Brian Seaton of North American Oboe House
3:30 PM Repertoire Class
5-9 PM * Repair Appointments with Brian Seaton
5-6 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders, lessons with George Corbett
Friday, June 20, 12-4, 5:30-7:30 PM
12:00 PM Discussion 101: Reed Touch-ups and Group Sharing/Review
2:00 PM Repertoire Class
5:30 PM Student Recital and Reception
Class Description and Fees**
Entire series: $450
By day: $95
Breathing 101: The Breathing Mechanism
Materials: Information packet, Breath Builder ($15), Conable: The Structures and Movement of Breathing ($8).
This class will review the Body Mapping of the breathing apparatus to gain awareness of movement during breathing as well as develop basic breathing skills for performance, greater focus and relaxation…good for the performer and non-performer alike! Learn the essentials of a three-part breath as well as the use and function of our 3 diaphragms. Exercises on the Breath Builder show how one can develop better breath control. Multiple exercises are presented to teach the participant how to free the breath.
Breathing 102: Awakening the Breath
Materials: Your body and a clear mind!
The focus here will be on activating better breathing, especially in preparation for performance. The raising of the ribs helps maintain optimal support for better performance function. Various techniques to energize the body are discussed.
Discussion 101: Introductions, Goals and the value of “Mistakes”
Materials: Journal, Pencil…and an open mind!
This class is geared towards celebrating yourself by learning to be your own guide through seeing where you are in your growth and setting goals for the week. Understanding why we make “mistakes” can be an important tool for learning. Sharing of your experiences allows for self-reflection to clarify focus on personal goals.
Discussion 101: Balancing your inner “Witness” and “Participant”
Materials: Your “antenna” and desire to play your oboe!
This is very unique way to look at yourself as you participate in the action of playing your oboe. Do you tend to overplay? Or underplay? Don’t know what to do next? Learn how your sound gives you all of the feedback that you need to know as to what steps to take next in your development.
Discussion 101: Creating good warm-up and practice habits
Materials: A really opened mind!
Do you feel stuck in your practicing or have you plateaued in your performance? Do you continually make the same mistakes over and over? Do your fears shape your actions, or cause you to not take any action? Old habits only carry you so far! Learn how to identify and resist bad behaviors and overcome the most stubborn hurdles.
Discussion 101: Marking your Music
Materials: Journal, pencil…and a plan!
Suggestions will be offered to help the student develop an easy to understand system of marking music for optimal practice/performance skills. Learn a shorthand format for easy assimilation of directions, not only for yourself but for others as well.
Discussion 101: Putting Personality into your Solo
Materials: Oboe, reed, music…and a desire for future possibilities!
This special class explores all of the ways in which an oboist can enjoy a fulfilling performance! First we explore the “signature” of the composition then we figure out ways to bring out specific “feelings or moods”. Understand how making a simple change in tempo or articulation can really bring a piece to life and play through your body. This will have you as well as the listener coming back for more!
Discussion 101: Reed Touch-ups and Group Sharing/Review
Materials: Journal, pencil…and your willingness to be present!
By keeping the focus on the learning, students will get a chance to share what they have learned with their individual process as well as what they have learned from their colleagues. We will review all goals set earlier in the week while I personally touch-up any reeds needed for the student recital to allow for the best outcome.
Discussion 102: AUDITIONS? OMG!!!
Materials: Your worst fears, a bad reed, and a hard piece :-p
Let’s talk! Whether or not you have any experience with auditions you will really value what is offered. Come up with a plan based on your needs, work at it before your resistance kicks in and turn learning from painful to pleasurable.
Embouchure exercises: Exercises to “turn on” your sound
Materials: Journal, oboe/reeds and a set of lips and lungs.
Developing awareness of the placement and function of the upper and lower lips is vital to the performing oboist (mostly in maintaining sanity!). Exercises will be discussed in developing these small muscles to help create a better quality of tone production as well as maintain the optimal reed opening. No more biting your reed!
Oboe Maintenance and Repairs
Materials: Information packet, oboe/reeds, screwdriver and cigarette paper.
Presented by Brian Seaton, of North American Oboe House and formerly of OboeWorks and Paul Covey Oboes, this specialty class will cover the essential “do’s and do not’s” of instrumental care and maintenance as well as making your own adjustments.
Reed Class: The Basics of Reed-Making
Materials: Journal, Reeds, Oboe and a set of lips and lungs.
Do you ever wonder how reeds are made? Ever buy a reed from a store and it’s crap? Well, Basic reed-making skills will be demonstrated and discussed to give the player a solid idea of what’s involved. Fear no more, you will develop a general understanding of the mystery of making this small piece of wood into a treasure!
+Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders
Materials: Oboe, reeds, music and your best recording device.
Everyone is allotted 30 minutes of rehearsal time with our pianist, which will take place in the performance space if scheduling allows. It is strongly suggested to record this rehearsal to help solidify performance practice and overcome nerves!
Additionally, everyone that attends the full week is allotted a 30 minute private oboe lesson with George Corbett. Players will be assessed as to what they need to be focusing on to get the quickest results.
*Repair Appointments with Brian Seaton $85/hour
As a top notch repairman in the country, Brian is making his services available to us in Norfolk! Take advantage of this great opportunity by reserving your time to have your instrument reviewed, adjusted and repaired if necessary. Payments are to be made directly to Brian Seaton for any repair work. Appointments, scheduled through George Corbett, are not included in the Oboe Holiday pricings but are to be signed up and paid for separately.
Repertoire Class
Materials: Information packet, music, oboe/reeds…and all your nerves!
Each participant will be given opportunities to perform their prepared selections with a professional pianist, Lee Jordan-Anders, culminating with a recital, with the ultimate goal of getting the performer connected with the music and in the “ZONE!” Constructive criticisms will be offered from everyone attending to help the performer overcome performance nerves, recognize growth patterns and feel support from their colleagues. Participants may arrange 30 minutes of private rehearsal time with pianist.
Discussion 101: Preparing for Auditions
Materials: Journal, opened mind and discipline.
As the most challenging aspect of performance the student will learn to make themselves completely available to the music by letting the music play thru their bodies. This class will assist in developing insights into personal performance and musical knowledge in addition to understanding how to get more out of the music. Learn how to focus on the sound of your instrument to guide you and meet the needs of the music. This can also be a great experience for learning how to take auditions!
Student Recital and Reception
Materials: Delicious treats, happy oboists, family/friends,
Instrument/reeds/music and a great performance space!
This performance is the culmination point of the week enabling the participants to use much of the information that they have absorbed during the week. Participants will perform selections worked on during the repertoire class. The setting is in a beautiful modern house artfully decorated with a unique presentation area. This is our final showcase of our budding young stars! Music and Arts will be setting up a booth for music supplies and instruments for sale! Hold onto those credit cards!
* Not included in the Oboe Holiday package pricing and must be signed up for separately.
** All classes take place in the Ghent area of Norfolk and include an information packet; additional materials may be purchased during the week. Please bring a notebook, music, instrument and reeds. Each day we will include a 20 minute break at 2:10 PM with light refreshments. Doors open at 11:45 AM; please pick students up by 5:15 PM.