I. Course Description

Oboe Performance will focus all aspects of oboe technique, musicianship and reed making skills.

The course consists of weekly individual lessons and a studio class.

II. Course Objectives

1. To build musicianship skills through oboe performance

2. To master the technical aspects of oboe performance

3. To acquire independent reed-making skills

4. To become familiar with major oboe solo and chamber repertoire

5. To become familiar with major orchestral excerpts

III. Required Materials

*Oboe in excellent working condition

*Minimum of two working reeds at all time

* The Musician’s Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance and Wellness by Gerald Klickstein

*Sheet music and method books as individually assigned

*Reed making tools and materials: Knife, plaque, metric ruler, cutting block, single-edge razor

blades, thread, sharpening stone, mandrel, staples, gouged and shaped cane

*Metronome

*Tuner

Oboe Performance Syllabus Department of Music

College of Arts and Humanities, University of Central Florida

MVW 1412, MVW 2422, MVW 3432, MVW 4442, MVW 1212

Spring 2012

Jamie Strefeler

Studio Class: Monday 12:30-1:20, M120

Lessons: As scheduled, M 233

Office Hours: By Appointment

Home phone: (267) 374-1185

Music Office: (407) 823-2869

Email: jstrefel@mail.ucf.edu

IV. Recommended Materials

* Additional reed making tools: Shaper tip and handle, beeswax, easel,

micrometer, gouger, splitter, pre-gouger, guillotine, diameter gauge, tube

cane

* Principles and Techniques for Oboe Reed Adjustment by Cheryl Wefler –

available at www.cascadeoboereeds.com

* English horn

* IDRS membership

V. Expectations

Individual Lessons

Students are required to schedule a weekly lesson time with the instructor at the beginning of the

semester. Students are to bring required materials (as listed above) to every lesson. Students should

warm up before the lesson. Students are to be prepared with their weekly assignment of scales,

warm-ups, etudes and concert pieces. Students are required to bring six new reeds that they made

during the previous week to every lesson. Please note that the six reed requirement does not refer to

six attempts at reeds; the six reeds brought to lessons should be in a semi-finished stage unless

otherwise instructed. Students are also required to bring all required reed making tools and materials

(see above). If the six reed requirement is not met, the student will receive the grade of a maximum

grade of “C” for that week’s lesson. Running out of cane is not an acceptable excuse for failing to meet

the reed requirement. Plan ahead so that you never run out!

Studio Class

Studio Class is scheduled for Mondays from 12:30- 1:20 pm in room M 120. The day and location of

studio may vary during the semester. Notice of scheduling changes will be sent via email. This

semester studio class will be devoted to orchestral excerpts, student performances and discussion of

the assigned reading in The Musician’s Way. Please see Studio Class Schedule for details. Detailed

assignments for each week will be handed out in advance. Grades for studio class will be based on

attendance, participation, preparation, and attitude. Additional classes may be devoted to

performances/discussions of other topics at the discretion of the instructor.

Practicing/Reed-making

Students are required to practice a minimum of two hours a day and spend an additional hour on reed-

making. Practice time does NOT include rehearsals. Practice is critical to developing endurance and

quality sound production on the oboe. Reeds are the most important factor in producing a beautiful

oboe sound and daily reed-making sessions are the only way to improve your reed-making skills and

ensure that you always have a working reed.

“Reed-Buddies”

Students are required to meet with assigned “reed-buddies” for a minimum of one hour per week.

Students should schedule this time based on their availability and the availability of the oboe studio

(M233). The students should use this time to work on reeds and assist each other in the reed-making

process.

Performances

BM students are required to perform at a Tuesday area recital or Thursday forum every semester.

BME and BA students are required to perform at a Tuesday area recital or Thursday forum once a year

(either in the spring or fall semester). All students are required to play a scale jury during each

semester and a faculty jury at the end of each semester. The scale jury will consist of scales assigned

by the instructor (see Scale Requirements below). The faculty jury with consist of an accompanied

(when applicable) solo piece, assigned scales and sight-reading. Students are expected to attend all

woodwind area recitals and oboe related performances especially junior, senior and faculty recitals.

** Students are required to attend the Orlando Philharmonic’s performance of Goossens Oboe

Concerto on April 28 or 30**

Attendance

Students are required to attend all scheduled lessons, studio classes and Tuesday woodwind area

recitals. Absences by the instructor will be made up. Excused absences (death in the family, illness)

may be made up if the instructor is properly notified of the situation by telephone (267-374-1185). All

other absences must be discussed with the instructor in advance and will be deemed excused or

unexcused at the instructor’s discretion. Excused absences may be made up if possible. Unexcused

absences will result in the lowering of the student’s final grade by one-half letter grade. Tardiness is

unacceptable. In the professional music world, a musician who is late to a concert could lose his/her

job! The rule of thumb is: “On time is late!” Always plan on being a few minutes early in case

something unforeseeable occurs. The first tardiness infraction will result in a warning. Each additional

tardiness infraction will result in the lowering of the student’s final grade by one-half letter grade.

Attendance at woodwind area recitals is mandatory (see “Important Dates to Remember”). It is

important to support your peers in the woodwind studios and gain knowledge of wind repertoire and

performance practice.

The Musician’s Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance and Wellness by Gerald Klickstein

This semester, students are required to read Part 1 and Part 2 of The Musician’s Way (pg. 133-225).

There will be an assignment based on this reading during the course of the semester. The purpose of

this reading is to gain a better understanding of performance preparation and performance techniques

that are both organized and efficient. The grade for the students’ reports will account for 5% of the

students’ final grade (see Basis for Final Grade). The details of this assignment will be handed during

the first weeks of the semester.

Repertoire Report

Students will write a report on one standard repertoire piece that he/she is working on each semester.

The purpose of the report is to acquire knowledge about the piece and composer that will enhance the

quality of performance. The report should include details on the composer’s life and style as well as

descriptive details about the piece (form, harmonic structure, texture, mood, imagery, etc.). The

report should be a minimum of 500 words and is due the at the last studio class of the semester. Late

papers will be penalized one-half letter grade per day.

VI. Basis for Final Grade

The following is the criteria on which your final grade will be based. Please note that this does not

include the adjustments for unexcused absences and tardiness as stated above. If you have questions

about your grade standings at any point in the semester, contact the instructor.

1. Individual lessons – Grade will be based on preparation, positive attitude, progress and

meeting the reed making requirement **If a student fails to meet the 6 reeds per week

requirement, he/she will receive a maximum grade of “C” for that week’s lesson**– 40%

2. Studio Class/Reed Buddies –Participation, preparation of assigned music, positive attitude, and

progress 30%

3. Scale Jury/Faculty Jury/Area Recital or Forum performance/Degree Recital – 20%

4. The Musician’s Way Report – Grade will be based on content and meeting the assignment

requirements -5%

5. Repertoire Report – Grade will be based on content and meeting the 500 word requirement.

Late papers will be penalized one-half letter grade per day- 5%

Grading Scale (%)

94-100 A

90-93 A-

87-89 B+

84-86 B

80-83 B-

77-79 C+

74-76 C

70-73 C-

67-69 D+

64-66 D

60-63 D-

0 - 59 F

VII. Resources

Sheet Music

Jeanne – www.jeanne-inc.com

TrevCo Music – www.trevcomusic.com

Reed/Oboe Supplies

Mark Chudnow Woodwinds - www.mcwoboe.com

RDG Woodwinds – www.rdgwoodwinds.com

Forrests Music – www.forrestsmusic.com

Innoledy – www.innoledy.com (This is the best place to buy gouged cane!)

International Double Reed Society

www.idrs.org – This is a great resource. Students are encouraged to join. Student membership is $35.

VIII. Disability Access

The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all

persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students

with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the

beginning of the semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be

provided until the student has met with the professor to request accommodations. Students

who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability Services, Student

Resource Center Room 132, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116,

before requesting accommodations from the professor.

IX. Academic Conduct Policy

Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. If you are uncertain as to what

constitutes academic dishonesty, please consult The Golden Rule, the University of

Central Florida's Student Handbook (http://www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/) for further

details. As in all University courses, The Golden Rule Rules of Conduct will be applied.

Violations of these rules will result in a record of the infraction being placed in your file

and receiving a zero on the work in question AT A MINIMUM. At the instructor’s

discretion, you may also receive a failing grade for the course. Confirmation of such

incidents can also result in expulsion from the University.

X. Important Dates to Remember

January 16 – No Classes

January 24 – Woodwind Area Recital in RH

February 16 - Woodwind Forum

March 5-10 – Spring Break

March 13 – Woodwind Area Recital in VAB

March 22 – Woodwind Forum

April 3 – Woodwind Area Recital in RH

April 5 – Woodwind Forum

April 12 – Woodwind Forum

April 23 - Repertoire Report due

April 28(St. Luke’s) or 30(Margeson Theater) Orlando Philharmonic Focus Concert including

Goossens Oboe Concerto ***Attendance Required***

Scale Requirements

Level I

Fall – All major scales and arpeggios

Spring – All harmonic minor scales and arpeggios

Level II

Fall – All natural minor and melodic minor scales and arpeggios

Spring – All major, natural minor, harmonic minor and melodic minor scales and arpeggios

Level III

Fall – Major scales in thirds

Spring – Minor scales in thirds

Level IV

Fall – Full scale, arpeggio series at assigned tempo

Spring – Full scale, arpeggio and thirds series at assigned tempo