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Interested in Studying Oboe and the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire?

December 8, 2013, 11:36 am
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Are you considering studying oboe in college?



There are still a few audition dates left for anyone interested in studying music at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire beginning Fall 2014

Dates
Thursday, January 16, 2014 - Haas Fine Arts Center, UW-Eau Claire
Saturday, February 15, 2014 - Haas Fine Arts Center, UW-Eau Claire
Saturday, March 8, 2014 - Haas Fine Arts Center, UW-Eau Claire

Schedule
10:00 a.m. - Register for afternoon placement times, Fine Arts Center Lobby
10:30 a.m. - Information session for applicants and parents.
11-12:30 p.m. - Aural skills test
Beginning at noon - Performance placement and scholarship auditions and keyboard placement. (times identified at 10:00 a.m. check-in)

For more information,  click on the link below:

 UWEC Audition Application


 As a faculty member at UWEC, I'd like to tell you a little more about our program. While I am interested in the possibility of having you join the UWEC Oboe Studio next fall, my primary goal is to help you find the right school for YOU.

The University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire is an internationally recognized university of about 11,000 students overall and the music program is the largest is the state, with 375 undergraduates. We do not have a graduate program,  and there are a wealth of performance opportunities for all oboe majors including orchestra, two bands,  and numerous chamber music ensembles. 

We have a select group of 9 oboe students at UWEC and while the studio is large,  it is a very supportive group of fun, talented, and creative people! In addition to weekly lessons,  there are also a weekly studio class and reed making class for all oboe majors.Because I am a full-time faculty member,  I am always here to answer questions and help with last-minute reed and instrument fixes as needed. 

We have a reed room where oboists/bassoonists can make reeds (and they seem to enjoy hanging out there too!). The reed room was outfitted with over $10,000 of reed making equipment several years ago,  so students have access to a number of shaper tips, a gouging machine, etc, etc for reed making.  We also regularly bring in guest artists for masterclasses and arrange trips to the Twin Cities for concert experiences as opportunities arise. In addition, I encourage students to take opportunities to study abroad and explore the world during their time in college. Recent students have studied abroad in Sweden, Austria, Italy, and Scotland.

Several years ago a former UWEC graduate donated 3 Loree oboes to the studio. This allows students in need of purchasing a new oboe to have a professional model oboe to play while they save up money. Or, if your own oboe is in the shop for repairs,  there's an instrument to use in the meantime. We also have several English horns available for student use as well.

Recent success stories of oboe students: 

  • In the the last 2 UWEC Orchestra Concerto Competitions, the 4 wind players who won were ALL oboists (performing the Mozart, Goossens, and  Strauss Oboe Concertos, respectively)
  • Three students participated in the 2013 John Mack Oboe Camp in Wildacres, NC
  • A student recently participated in the Walt Disney internship program in Orlando, FL 
  •  Three students collaborated with me on a research project that culminated in an article that was published last fall in the International Double Reed Society Journal.
UWEC oboe graduates are successful performers and teachers throughout the region and internationally in China and Hong Kong. Some have also gone on to graduate studies in both performance and education. My students work hard,  but they achieve great goals and enjoy the process along the way. 

I maintain a very active performance schedule both on an off campus to promote oboe playing and to demonstrate what I teach.  I perform solo recitals each year on campus, present performances on campus with the UWEC Faculty Wind Quintet, perform in the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, the Chippewa Valley Symphony,  and perform as a member of the Virtualosity Duo. I continue to perform on the national and international level to build recognition of the program at UWEC and to foster relationships with musicians and audiences around the globe. I'm also currently developing an oboe method for beginning oboists and have a great interest in oboe pedagogy (the study of teaching the oboe). If you are interested, you can find sound excerpts of my playing can be found at http://www.uwec.edu/Mus-The/faculty/garveycn.htm (scroll to the bottom of the page to find the sound links). 

The music education program at UWEC is an absolute standout in the state and Midwest region. Our graduates are HIGHLY sought after and our placement rate for recent graduates is still close to 100% (even in this tough economy). A large percentage of music majors at UWEC are seeking music education degrees and our department highly values the special needs of education majors and seeks to foster an inclusive yet challenging environment. Our graduates also hold prominent positions in the WMEA (Wisconsin Music Education Association) and are outstanding leaders in the field. 

If you are considering UWEC,  I highly encourage you to contact me and visit campus during the week when classes are in session.  You could observe a music theory class, sit in with one of the bands or orchestra and have a lesson with me to get a feel for what the department is like.  Or,  if travel is prohibitive,  contact me for a Skype meeting/lesson. Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can assist you with your college decisions. I look forward to hearing from you!

Warmest regards,

Dr. Christa Garvey

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Take care of your oboe in the cold!

January 27, 2014, 1:02 pm
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Hi All-

If you live in, or travel to, cold climates, this post is for you! As a write,  our standing temperature outside in Eau Claire, WI is a balmy -9 F/ -22 C and a wind chill (what the temp ACTUALLY feels like due to blowing winds) of -35 F / -37 C.

That's just plain cold.  Even for beautiful Eau Claire, WI,  where we expect a formidable winter climate. Many of the schools in our region, including the University of Minnesota, have closed for the day due to the cold,  but not the hardy folks at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire!

At this point you may be asking,  HOW DO I KEEP MY OBOE WARM? Well,  "warm" is a relative term,  so the most important thing I REALLY have to think about is minimizing sudden temperature CHANGE.  So how do I MINIMIZE TEMPERATURE CHANGE inside the case?

Great question, dear reader!   I came up with this affordable winter layering"set-up" a few years ago and it has proven to be quite successful (and costs less that $10 dollars!)



First, I put my oboe case in an insulated down vest (I found this one used at a local Saver's store for a few bucks and first wore it as part of a Halloween costume). This extra insulation minimizes heat loss.

Next, I put the "vested" oboe in a "Hot/Cold" mylar bag that I purchased at my local grocery store (in the US they often sell these by the freezer section).  This this bag minimizes heat loss and traps in air.

For the final layer,  I put all of the above into my Altieri insulated case.  I've used these cases for years and love, LOVE, LOVE the waterproof outer layer, the insulation that is enough for all but our extremely cold winters, and for the overall durability of the bag. 

I keep a small thermometer in my case to measure heat loss and have been impressed with the results. For example, on a recent commute to work that included a  bus ride and 15 minute walk  during a -10 F day only resulted in a 10 degree F change in temperature INSIDE the bag.   Not bad if you ask me!

So how are all of you keeping warm and safe this winter?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Oboe and out,

The Oboist

ps,  there are a few perks to living up here.  For one,  the amazing opportunity to go birding and watch Arctic snowy owls like this one here:
Exquisite, huh?


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Planning for GREAT MUSIC in the Summer on a Dime

March 2, 2014, 8:32 pm
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This message is for Anthony, who wrote to me asking about opportunities for advancing his college level oboe skills over the summer on a limited budget.

While in the perfect world we'd all get into the prestigious music festival of our choice with a full scholarship,  that's not always the reality. However,  as a budding college level musician,  you have the perfect opportunity to start thinking like the entrepreneurial musician you'll HAVE to be once you graduate.

Here are just a few ways to the advance your skills over the summer without breaking the bank:

1. Take some  lessons with a different teacher.  This will give you a different perspective and widen your knowledge of professional oboists at the same time.  Bring in specific technical issues that you've been working with during the semester with your university teacher and see if this other teacher can help you solve the problem/suggest ways to approach the issue in a new way for you.  Sometimes a slightly different way of teaching can help you understand what your first teacher was trying to teach you in the first place.

2. Don't have much $ for lessons? Barter. See if the teacher will give you lessons for reduced rates in exchange yard work, help with home repairs, babysitting, etc. etc. I think most teachers would be happy to make a arrangement like this if possible.

3. Teach lessons to younger players. Hit the pavement and contact area band directors and offer to help with summer band, put up flyers to promote your oboe studio, etc. Every time you teach a lesson to a younger player,  you're reinforcing how you approach the oboe to yourself (as well as your student!)
Some of the $ you earn can be used for TAKING lessons with the teacher of your choice in #1.

4. Make reeds for younger players. Make sure they are stable and easy blowing, then sell to your private students and their band classmates.  Use the $ you earn to purchase your own reed supplies/tools. A few regular customers can keep you well stocked with your own cane AND the extra time spent on reed making is GUARANTEED to improve your skills by regularly making reeds throughout the summer.

4. Contact teachers from other area colleges/universities and see if they will give you the contact info for their oboe students. These oboe students are your future professional colleagues,  so contact them to read chamber music, make reeds together and play for one another. Trust me,  can never have too many oboe friends in this profession!

5. Perform a summer recital. Use some of the pieces that you've learned over the last year or semester, maybe share the recital with a new or old oboe friend,  or a former high school classmate who also went on to study music in college.  Play the recital at your old high school, a local church, community center or  senior center. Invite your family, old friends and teachers who likely haven't heard you since high school and they will be amazed at your progress!

6.  If you're currently playing in a chamber ensemble at school,  keep the group together over the summer. If all of the ensemble members live in the same region (of several hours or so),  meet up for a few rehearsals,  then give a concert in each of your hometowns. What a great way to improve your ensemble skills over the summer AND have fun performing together. With home stays and carpooling,  this doesn't have to cost much at all.

7. Look for summer bands to perform in.  Many communities have live band music in the parks (there's a thriving series here in Eau Claire with most of the members comprised of current and retired band directors and other amateur music lovers).  Most groups would LOVE to have an good oboist join them!

8. Ask members of the summer band to read chamber music with you. There's LOADS of free music to download on imslp.org! Once summer when I was in college I played in a summer band with many amateurs.  An elderly gentleman playing clarinet gathered a few of us to read chamber music and it was unforgettable. The technical levels of the musicians might not have been that high,  but their love of music and enthusiasm for chamber music was a true inspiration.

9. Set personal goals for yourself at the beginning of the summer. Then STICK to them.  Maybe your goal is to practice more, learn a few new pieces, master a technical issues, etc.  Write out a plan then hold yourself accountable.  Let your summer teacher know your plans and help guide you as well.

10. Go to an area where there are street performers (often known as "buskers"). Go out and play. Open your case and even earn a few dollars.  The money isn't the important part here--this is an opportunity for you to play for a public audience.  What sort of playing is needed to capture the attention of passers by?  It's a great lesson in getting to know a diverse audience and trying out new repertoire.


These are just the few ideas that come to mind immediately,  but all have the potential to broaden your experiences and deepen your skills.  Please add your own suggestions for summer playing in the comments section below!

Oboe and out,

The Oboist






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Just Breathe: Ease Nerves and Regain Calm in Less than 1 Minute

April 17, 2014, 10:48 am
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I don't know about you all,  but this is an incredibly busy time of the semester for our students and faculty alike.  Lots and lots of concerts, exams, juries, auditions, etc, etc.

But hey,  as musicians,  being "busy" is usually considered a good thing.  Unless you let it lead to stress.  And there's no reason to feel stressed as long as you can gain control of your breathing.


Here's an exercise I give to my students to help them calm down and regain focus just before big performances/events or anytime they feel stressed.

You can turn a metronome on to quarter note= 60 for this exercise,  or just count seconds.

1. Breathe in for 2 beats/seconds,  breathe out for 2 beats/seconds.
2. Breathe in for 3 beats/seconds,  breathe out for 3 beats/seconds.
3. Breathe in slowly for 4 beats/seconds,  breathe out for 4 beats/seconds.
4. Breathe in slowly for 5 beats/seconds,  breathe out for 5 beats/seconds.
5. Breathe in slowly for 6 beats/seconds,  breathe out for 6 beats/seconds.
6. Breathe in slowly for 7 beats/seconds,  breathe out for 7 beats/seconds.
7. Breathe in very slowly for 8 beats/seconds,  breathe out for 8 beats/seconds.
8. Breathe in very slowly for 9 beats/seconds,  breathe out for 9 beats/seconds.
9. Breathe in very slowly for 10 beats/seconds,  breathe out for 10 beats/seconds.

At this point you should be feeling calmer and in control of your breath.  Doesn't it feel good?

Repeat as needed, and share with others.

You're welcome.

Oboe and out,

The Oboist.

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Oboe Vibrato

May 21, 2014, 9:52 am
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Vibrato on the Oboe
What is vibrato?
Vibrato is a regular pulsation or undulation of pitch added to our sound for expressive purposes. Both the speed and depth of pulsation/change of pitch can and should be varied as the music necessitates.

Why is it used?
Vibrato adds a human touch to our sound, replicating the human voice. The depth and speed of undulations can add power/confidence or a sense of vulnerability or frailty/intimacy to a musical line,  depending on how it is used. A very rapid vibrato can also add a shimmering quality to your sound (My teacher Marc Lifschey was a master with this expressive capability!) Please note that vibrato should be used to enhance an already beautiful sound, never to mask and poor one. One should be able to turn it on and off/start and stop it at will; it is not an uncontrolled, constant bleating to an oboe sound.

When should vibrato be introduced to a budding oboist? 
I find that many oboe students naturally develop vibrato during their high school studies as their tone quality and pitch mature from proper air use and support. There is no “magic” age at which vibrato should be taught, as each student is on their own path of musical awakening and development. One of the comments that MOST irritates me from seemingly well-intentioned (but non-oboist!) judges at solo/ensemble contests and festivals is when they write that a young student should be using vibrato already. The 5 minutes they spend listening to a student often isn't enough to make this judgement! 

However, if a student is interested in studying oboe at the college level with the hopes of professional studies, then the concept of vibrato should definitely be introduced and hopefully mastered before they begin college work.  On occasion I have had entering college freshman in my studio who did not use vibrato. This is either because they didn’t have a pre-college teacher help them develop this skill or because they still needed work developing proper air use/support that can facilitate a successful vibrato.  Most often the student is using far too much tension in their back/chest area to ALLOW vibrato to sound. If this is the case for your or your student, first take some time to stretch, release all unnecessary tension, and learn how to permanently remove this tension from your body for greater ease of playing that will be receptive to playing with vibrato.

How to learn it/teach oboe vibrato
First, if you are learning vibrato for the first time, listen to great violinists, cellists, and classical music singers to hear how it is produced and used by other musicians. Don't skip this most important step! Notice how the vibrato speed and depth these artists produce can both be changed. The speed of vibrato can speed up or slow down and the undulation can be deepened or narrowed. 

The way that I first teach vibrato is actually different than how I use it in actual practice. I’ve found that the best way to teach vibrato is to have a student learn how to create an undulation in their sound with their abdominal wall (this is often incorrectly called “diaphragmatic” vibrato), then move that undulation higher up in the body.

First, place your hand on your lower abdominal wall, just under your navel and say “hah.” “Hah-hah-hah.”  Now say “ho-ho-ho” with a really robust voice like you’re Santa Claus. Really “punch” out those sounds with your abdominal wall and notice how your abdominal wall is engaged to create these sounds.

Next, place a reed in your mouth and blow a constant air stream through the reed then begin to engage your abdominal wall as if you are saying “hah-hah-hah” or “ho-ho-ho” slowly through your reed, without your tongue. Maintain a steady air stream through the reed at all times. You never want to hear “ha-(silence)-ha-(silence), etc” but instead a steady sounding “haaaa-haaaa-haaaa”  with no silence in-between  undulations. Make sure that your embouchure is not changing, nor is the reed moving in and out of your mouth. Try your best to make the undulation of pitch as large as possible; really exaggerate the sounds you are creating---this will help your work in the forthcoming exercises.

Once you feel comfortable with this, turn on a metronome to 60 beats per minute. Using the reed only still, create a clear, even “ha” every beat. Next create “ha-ha” every beat (eighth notes). Once that feels comfortable and sounds clear, progress to “ha-ha-ha” every beat (triplet division of the beat), then “ha-ha-ha-ha” every beat (16th notes). Honing this assignment may take up to a week of methodical practice to acquire ease with this endeavor. Be patient with yourself!

The next assignment is to slowly move the metronome speed up a few notches until the above exercises can be performed at 70 bpm. Once you can comfortably and clearly produce a regular “ha-ha-ha-ha” 16th note division at 70 bpm on the reed, you’re ready for your oboe. But be patient enough to not move to the oboe until you can produce deep undulations on the reed alone! Move the metronome speed back down to 60 bpm, then play a half-hole D on the oboe and produce the quarter note “ha” sounds again. With the reed in the oboe, the sound you produce will likely be shallower that what you produced on the reed alone. If this is the case, then use more lower abdominal force with each “ha” sound. Maintain a steady embouchure at all times and don’t “wind” each note, The air should always be moving through the reed like an electric fan, but the abdominal wall punctuates the sound.Progress on to producing eighth notes, triplets, and sixteenth notes on a single note at 60 bpm.


At this stage we take a leap.
Without the oboe or reed, place one hand on your abdominal wall and one hand on your throat. Put on a metronome at 80bpm and produce quarter note “ha” sounds. Then move to eighth notes, then move to triplets and sixteenth notes. At this stage, you’ll likely notice that you’re shifting the “ha” sounds from your lower abdominal wall up to undulations in your throat (otherwise, after some time your abs will become quite exhausted!). Move the metronome up to 90bpms and progress from quarter notes, to eighth notes, then triplets, and sixteenth notes.  (refer back to previous musical examples), but with the voice only. The undulation sound created will not be as deep as when you used a forceful lower abdominal wall vibrato, and that’s OK.

Now go back and use your throat vibrato on the reed only at 60, 70, 80, then 90 bpm.  Try to make the undulation as deep as possible. Record yourself and listen to your vibrato to make sure that the undulation in pitch is discernable.  If not, go back to the lower abdominal wall exercises then shift back to the throat vibrato.

Next, work on the same exercises with your reed in your oboe. Practice on a variety of pitches—you’ll likely find that lower notes are slightly more difficult to produce vibrato than middle and higher range notes. 

A good "all-purpose" vibrato speed to aim for is to create 16th notes at a quarter note tempo of 90 bpm.

Now we take another leap—using vibrato in music!
First add vibrato sparingly to long notes in slow passages in your solo music and during rehearsals of large ensemble music. You’ve got nothing to lose!  Just TRY it. Slowly add vibrato to your music until it becomes a regular feature of your melodic line, enhancing your already lovely tone. Maintain an even vibrato as you change notes, never starting and stopping the vibrato through big leaps, etc. Realize that vibrato is not needed in rapid passages. It wouldn’t be noticed there anyway, so in those instances spend your energy on perfecting the technique, pitch and sound needed to execute the line instead.

Develop the ability to change vibrato speed and depth of undulation over time.           
Add vibrato into your long tone exercises. As you create dynamic sound shapes (see post on long tones/dynamic sound shapes)  speed up your vibrato as you crescendo, creating faster and shallower undulations. As you dimenuendo, slow the vibrato as you get softer. Be careful that your vibrato pulsation is not overly wide,  as this can give a flatness and dullness to your sound.

Once you can comfortably vary your vibrato speed and depth of pulsation, use these skills to enhance your musical line. Here’s seemingly "magical" bit of oboe expression, a gem I honed from careful listening to great artists: increase the vibrato speed and frequency just as you are going up and over the highpoint of a phrase—really “step on the gas” to produce a shimmering-like sound.  



Hope that helps.  

Oboe and out,

The Oboist



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Is your oboe embouchure tired? For a quick fix, say your vowels

June 21, 2014, 1:44 pm
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In the next few posts I'll be exploring endurance on the oboe.

 In the meantime,  here's a little gem that I learned during an all-day rehearsal waaaaaaaay back when I was in high school performing in the Indiana All-State Orchestra.

If your embouchure muscles are tired,  say your vowels:

A
E
I
O
U

Now,  say them again, but REALLY SLOWLY and exaggerate the facial muscles to say them:

AAAAAAAAAAAAA  (open your mouth up as wide as can be!)


EEEEEEEEEEEEEE (spread your corners of your mouth far apart!)



IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII  (this is my favorite for stretching the sides of your embouchure)



OOOOOOOOOOO (engage the top lip and stretch it down)



UUUUUUUUUUUU  (this one really feels funny when exaggerated!)



Whenever your face muscles start to feel tired,  take a short break and say your vowels again. These should help stretch your embouchure muscles and give your face a quick fix.
Now get back to practicing and go get awesome!

Oboe and out,

The Oboist




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The Oboe Doctor Is IN: Answering a reader's question on building embouchure endurance.

July 3, 2014, 9:04 am
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An oboist has written me asking how to build endurance for playing the Richard Strauss Oboe Concerto. They mentioned that learning the first movement is especially taxing, that their embouchure gives out, and asks for suggestions to build endurance. 

What a great question!  

When learning any piece, but especially the exquisite but taxing Richard Strauss Oboe Concerto,  you have to be smart about your preparations. The first movement is really long, with few breaks, so you have to plan your practice carefully.

First,  make sure that the Strauss Oboe Concerto is NOT the ONLY thing that you are practicing.
As a student,  you should also be spending a large  part of your daily practice sessions on long tones  (described in my post found here ) and scales. These important  building blocks will develop your embouchure strength and flexibility, and encourage good air and body use, which are essential to building endurance. I can't emphasize the importance of this first suggestion enough! By spending the majority of your practice sessions mastering these techniques,  you'll be able to improve quickly and apply these skills directly  to your repertoire work. 


If you only practice large sections of the concerto until your face hurts or your embouchure is unable to support the reed with stable pitch or good sound,  then you are only reinforcing bad habits.  Instead, make sure that you are always insisting upon good air support and a well-formed embouchure in your practice as developed through long tone work and scale practice.


Next, make sure you are finding ample places to BREATHE. You can either learn to circular breathe (found at this post ) or find musically appropriate places to let out old air and take in fresh air (and there are quite a few places for this!) You have to realize that your muscles NEED oxygen to function well,  and if you aren't taking in enough oxygen,  then your embouchure muscles will tire more easily (as will the rest of your body, too!) and you won't be able to perform your best.

Then, once you know where you'll breathe,  link your phrases together.  Play through sections (of 4 or more phrases)  then repeat a number of times. This will give you the opportunity to play through large sections and feel comfortable physically and mentally. 

Next,  connect your large sections together, being insistent with yourself that you take ample opportunities to breathe. Then repeat. This practice suggestion is to build endurance playing even larger sections while feeling comfortable physically and mentally. Once you have linked larger sections together, then eventually play through the entire movement.

As the saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day" goes, over time,  you'll find that your embouchure endurance will grow through thoughtful, consistent practice that slowly builds embouchure strength and reinforces good habits as well.

Hope that helps!

Oboe and out,

The Oboist
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Big Oboe Event at UWEC : Masterclass with Nancy Ambrose King!

September 12, 2014, 8:45 am
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Hi All-

If you're in the Wisconsin/Minnesota/Iowa region,  please take note! The University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire will host the fabulous Nancy Ambrose King for a masterclass on Saturday, October 11th, 2014 from 5-7pm.

We're REALLY, REALLY, REALLY excited about this opportunity and want to share the event with you.  Please note that the event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

The event will be held on campus in the Haas Fine Arts Building,  located at 121 Water St. in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  We'll have signs on the doors directing you to the room of the masterclass.

If you're unfamiliar with Nancy Ambrose King's artistry,  click here here  and here for more information.  If you'd like more information about the great music program at UWEC, click here  and here.

Let me know if you'll be coming!  Hope to see you there.

Oboe and out,

The Oboist


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Reed Making Bootcamp is Back!

May 11, 2015, 6:48 pm
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Reed making boot camp is back!
I'll be leading a reed making "bootcamp" June 15-19, 2015 in Eau Claire, WI. We'll learn how to make reeds each day from 9-12. in addition to making reeds, over the course of the week each participant will also receive 2 lessons. No previous reed making skills are necessary, but you will need to bring your own tools (contact me for a list of what you'll need and where to get it). All oboe cane is provided. Fee: $100.

Contact me for more information or to secure your spot at the reed table!

Oboe and out,

The Oboist

 
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UWEC Double Reed Day!! Don't Forget to Register By Oct. 1st!

September 10, 2015, 10:14 am
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Don't Forget! UW- Eau Claire Double Reed Day Oct. 11th

September 16, 2015, 11:49 am
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Oct. 11th event is cancelled--stay tuned for more information soon!

October 2, 2015, 7:31 am
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Help me get the word out---the UWEC Double Reed Day scheduled for Oct. 11th has been CANCELLED due to some unforeseen scheduling issues.  We're working on an event in the Spring,  so STAY TUNED! 
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New Year Resolutions, Anyone?

January 9, 2016, 12:50 pm
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Welcome to 2016, everyone!

I wish you a year filled with wonderful musical collaborations and excellent reeds.
First,  I want to celebrate the fact that Oboe For Everyone has been able to place over 125 oboe students to great teachers!  Hurrah!

Now,  onwards and upwards!  This year I'm planning another "Reed Bootcamp" (more on that later),  I will begin offering a 3-lesson series of online lessons to interested oboists (all ages and levels are welcome!), and am looking forward a recording project of chamber music by Bach,  a concerto performance with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, and much, much more.

My question to you:  What new year oboe resolutions have you made (and still  kept)?  What are you looking forward to in this upcoming year?  What suggestions do you have for blog topics or youtube videos that I can create for you?

Gotta get practicing,  but Happy New Year, everyone!


Oboe and out,

The Oboist






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Oboe Camps for Teens and Adults!

March 10, 2016, 11:23 am
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Hi All-

OK,  just letting the cat out of the bag with some early information so you can mark your calendars.  I'm planning 2 different oboe camps for July,  *tentatively* July 18-22.   One camp will be offered for teens, another for adult beginners and amateurs. Most of the classes will be separate and offer housing on the UW-Eau Claire campus at a very reasonable fee (still tentative, but around $100 for the entire duration of housing!). I'm still negotiating the tuition fee, but want it to be as low as possible for all of you. There will be masterclasses (think group lessons), presentations, reed making, double reed chamber music, and lots of fun things to experience on campus and in the downtown area. Oboe fun and more oboe fun and even more oboe fun!

Mark your calendars and send me a note at oboeforeveryone@gmail.com for more information!  I'll be posting a brochure as it gets made, but let me know if you have any questions. I really hope to see you there.

So excited, so excited!

Oboe and out,

The Oboist.



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Come spend a week in beautiful Eau Claire, Wisconsin July 18-22 and have fun with fellow double reed players!

March 18, 2016, 9:53 am
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Come spend a week in beautiful Eau Claire, Wisconsin July 18-22 and have fun with fellow double reed players!

I'm excited to announce the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire Summer Double Reed Camp for adult amateurs and high school students!! When: July 18-22. What: The camp will be divided into 2 concurrent camps for high school students and adults. There will be daily workshops, masterclasses, reed making classes, double reed ensembles, lessons, concerts/recitals, guest artists, and most importantly, FUN! Tuition is only $150 for the entire week and dorm housing is available for $100/wk for double occupancy or $126 for single rooms with a meal plan available.
 Contact Dr. Christa Garvey (garveycn@uwec.edu) for more information or to reserve a spot.

The main instructors will be:

Dr. Trent Jacobs, bassoon
Dr. Christa Garvey, oboe

High school students: this is your opportunity to improve LOADS in a short amount of time AND have fun with fellow oboists and bassoonists. Each student will receive intensive individual and group instruction, daily reed making workshops, participation in double reed ensembles, attend faculty and guest recital concerts, and lots of fun activities throughout the day.

Adults: Each student will receive intensive individual and group instruction, daily reed making workshops, participation in double reed ensembles, attend faculty and guest recital concerts.
The adult sessions will be in the morning and early afternoon, leaving time for participants to practice and enjoy the beauty of our area and enjoy the downtown Eau Claire area that is walking distance from campus (limited bus service is also available). We will also have evening concerts and time to enjoy the many outdoor evening events happening in Eau Claire in the summer. Rent or Bring a bike! The campus is located right on the beautiful Chippewa River and over 60+ miles of enjoyment on the Chippewa River Bike Trails. Weather averages in Eau Claire during July are 83F days/60F nights,  so come and enjoy the temperate climate.

This camp is for beginners through advanced players--all are welcome to participate in this week-long  event to learn a lot and have FUN being with other double reed players.

Contact me at garveycn@uwec.edu for more information.

I look forward to meeting you!

The Oboist


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More details on the Summer Double Reed Camp July 18-22, 2016!

March 25, 2016, 1:17 pm
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Hi All-

It's tough to express in words how EXCITED I AM to meet you and work with you at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Summer Double Reed Camp July 18-22nd!

I'm putting together a REALLY IMPRESSIVE lineup of guest presenters/reedmakers/performers/teachers and I'll have more to report later. For now,  check out the link


HERE




that takes you to my website to register and read more info on the camp/travel info, etc.

Send me an email at garveycn@uwec.edu to let me know that you'll be attending and I'll get a questionnaire and more info out to you right away so that we can tailor the camp to your goals with the oboe.

How great is that??

See you soon!


Oboe and out,

The Oboist




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May 25, 2016, 7:30 am
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TO REGISTER ONLINE: CLICK HERE
Instructors:
 UWEC Double Reed Faculty
Dr. Christa Garvey AND Dr. Trent Jacobs

July 18-22, 2016
Fees: $150 Tuition
Optional housing & meals for double occupancy dorm: $205
or
Optional housing & meals for single occupancy dorm: $231

Come join fellow double reed players for a week of music, learning more about the oboe, and FUN!
The camp is divided into separate classes for adults and high school aged students and includes masterclasses, group lessons on etudes and technique, workshops, daily classes on improvisation led by Dr. Jacobs, daily, intensive reed making sessions, minor instrument repair, daily faculty recitals, a final group performance for all participants, and of course, FUN!

We will have a variety of skilled guest artists available to present masterclasses, workshops and performances. Guest teachers include Dr. Carrie Vecchione, oboe instructor at the MacPhail Center for Music, oboist Dr. Emily Kupitz,  and bassoonist Alex Widstrand. Dr. Molly Gebrian will also present her amazing presentation,  "What Musicians Can Learn About Practicing From Current Brain Research."

Participants can arrive on campus beginning Sunday, July 17th at 3pm with classes/workshops beginning Monday, July 18th at 9am.  Mon-Thurs classes will be held from 9am-5pm each day  and Friday  camp will be from 9-1 with the final participant concert from 12-1pm. In the evenings there will be supervised activities, games, campus concerts, movies, etc. 


For questions or more information contact me directly at:  garveycn@uwec.edu
To register,  fill out the form below.


All camp events will take place in the Haas Fine Arts Center on the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire campus beginning on Monday, July 18th. at 9am.
Map of UWEC campus  Adults: if you are able to and enjoy walking,  there is no need to have a car and there are a number of extra activities/restaurants/shopping available within a 15-minute walk from campus. Limited city bus service is also available.

Travel to/from Eau Claire:  Eau Claire, WI is located just off of I-94, 90 miles east of the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area.   Eau Claire, WI is a 5 hour drive north and west from Chicago, IL , and less than 3 hours from Madison, WI.

There are two options for air travel: fly into the Minneapolis/St. International Airport and take the Chippewa Valley Airport Shuttle to Eau Claire and taxi service is available to campus (we may be able to arrange to pick you up from the Eau Claire shuttle drop-off to campus, so let me know your flight schedule!) Or, though more expensive, you can fly directly into the Eau Claire Regional Airport (2 flights daily, all from Chicago O'Hare) and we can pick you up from the Eau Claire airport and drive you to campus housing.

Housing: the dorm housing is either single room or double occupancy  from Sunday July 17- Fri July 22 and a cafeteria meal plan is available.  Linens (sheets and towels) are provided with each room. There is no air conditioning available at this time. Participants who are under 18 will have chaperones for supervised activities around campus and in the dorms.   Participants living in the area may wish to bring sack lunches or purchase meals on campus each day but sleep at home--the option is yours.

Things to do in Eau Claire in the summer:

The average weather in Eau Claire during July is 83F during the days and 60F at night,  although that is just an "average." Please check for weather conditions before packing and bring a raincoat/umbrella in case of a good old Midwestern thunderstorm.

For the most up to date lists of everything fun, cultural/artsy foodie and even quirky to do in Eau Claire,  check out the Volume One magazine

The Haas Fine Arts Center is located directly on the Chippewa River State Trail, connecting user to over 70 miles of trails for biking, running/walking.


COME JOIN US!  ONLINE REGISTRATION IS HERE


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UWEC Double Reed Camp 2017! Mark Your Calendars for June 25-30th!

November 11, 2016, 12:54 pm
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 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER !
Online payment available this year!

Mark your calendars and bring your friends! Sign up early to reserve a spot!  We'll limit the camp to 30 oboists and 30 bassoonists. Beginners through advanced levels are welcome and will be grouped with players of similar abilities for a very FUN and supportive learning environment.  There will be group classes, daily reed making intensives, guest artists, large and small ensembles, and individual lessons for all participants. Adults and high school students will be in separate performance classes,  but large-group work for guest presentations, etc.  
Consider the camp registration for an unforgettable Christmas present or a special give for yourself. 
Fees: $460 Tuition/meals/double occupancy housing
          $485Tuition/meals/SINGLE occupancy housing
          $250 for day participants not wishing to stay in the dorms
Scholarships are available.  Inquire at garveycn (at) uwec.edu for more information or camp specifics.


Right before our final celebration concert
2016 Oboe Faculty
Adult campers 




REED MAKING is FUN!
The 2016 Instructors
Having a blast during an improvisation workshop

The Bassoon Crew




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2017 UWEC SUMMER DOUBLE REED CAMP!

March 15, 2017, 10:06 am
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Share this link far and wide!  
Group work, individual lessons,  reed making sessions,
 large and small ensembles!
All in beautiful Eau Claire, Wisconsin June 25-30th 2017
online registration is open at:
 www.OboeForEveryone.com



 We hope to see you at camp!
Contact  me directly with questions
Oboe and out,

The Oboist
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Last Chance to Register for the 2017 UW-Eau Claire Double Reed Camp!

May 23, 2017, 12:52 pm
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Last chance to register for the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Double Reed Camp for high school and adult amateurs June 25-30!  


We'll be accepting registrations until June 1st if there is still room available. The camp is affordable, convenient for those attending IDRS 2017 the days before, and LOTS of FUN! 

All levels are welcome. 

The camp is led by UWEC faculty Dr. Trent Jacobs (bassoon), Dr. Christa Garvey (oboe), with absolutely fantastic assisting faculty: Dr. Lindabeth Binkley (Central Michigan University and reed maker extraordinare!! Dr. Emily Kupitz ! Dr Carrie Vecchione (OboeBass! duo memeber) Alex Widstrand ! 



To register follow the links at: www.OboeForEveryone.com



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