Oboe Holiday 2009
June 15 – 19
Class Schedule (subject to change)
Monday, June 15, 12-5 PM
12:00 PM Discussion 101: Introductions and Setting Goals
1:00 PM Reed Tests: Finding the Best Reed
2:30 PM Embouchure exercises: The upper and lower lip functions
3:30 PM Repertoire Class with Lee Jordan-Anders, piano
Tuesday, June 16, 12-5 PM
11-12 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders
12:00 PM Discussion 101: How to Break Bad Habits
1:00 PM Breathing 101: Basic Techniques of Breathing and Meditation
2:30 PM Unaccompanied Oboe Studies and Solos
3:30 PM Repertoire Class
5-6 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders
Wednesday, June 17, 12-5 PM
11-12 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders
10-12 PM * Repair Appointments with Brian Seaton
12:00 PM Discussion 101: Careers in Music
1:00 PM Unaccompanied Oboe Studies and Solos
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
Thursday, June 18, 12-5 PM
11-12 PM +Rehearsals with Lee Jordan-Anders
10-12 PM * Repair Appointments with Brian Seaton
12:00 PM Breathing 102: Awakening the Breath
1:00 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
Friday, June 19, 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
Oboe Holiday 2009
Class Description and Fees**
Entire series: $400
By day: $80
Register by June 8 to receive $25 discount on the entire series or $5 per day!
Breathing 101: Basic Techniques of Breathing and Meditation
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 and Setting Goals
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. Sharing of your experiences allows for self-reflection to clarify focus on personal goals.
Discussion 101: How to Break Bad Habits
Materials: An really opened mind!
Do you feel stuck in your practicing or have you plateaud in your performance? Do you continually make the same mistakes over and over? Do your fears shape your actions, or lack thereof? Old habits only carry you so far! Identification is the first step in overcoming them. Learn how to resist certain urges to overcome those 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: Careers in Music
Materials: A desire for future possibilities!
This special class explores all of the ways in which an oboist can potentially enjoy a fulfilling career in music. Putting yourself on a path early in your development can make a world of difference in helping you to discover a life purpose that involves music in some way. Even if you don’t make a career out of it there are endless ways in which your musical creativity can express itself all throughout your life!
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. Review of all set goals will occur while I will personally touch-up any reeds needed for the student recital to allow for the best outcome.
Embouchure exercises: The upper and lower lip functions
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 opening of the reed. No biting now!
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 class will cover the essential “do’s and do not’s” of instrumental care and maintenance as well as making your own adjustments.
*Private Lessons with George Corbett $50/hour
Private lessons are signed up separately for 30, 45 or 60-minute time slots and are available in the late mornings and early evenings during the week of OBOE HOLIDAY.
Reed Tests: Finding the Best Reed
Materials: Journal, Reeds, Oboe and a set of lips and lungs.
Do you ever wonder how to choose the right reed when you buy a reed from the store? How about choosing the very best reed to play from what you have in your reed case or your own hand-made reeds? Tips for caring for your reeds are shared as well.
+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!
*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 with George Corbett, are not included in the Oboe Holiday pricings and 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 with pianist.
Unaccompanied Oboe Studies and Solos
Materials: Oboe, reeds, Ferling, Verroust, Barret or Rubank studies.
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! Brief reception to follow