OBOE NEWS

From Alisons Studio

OCTOBER 2015
CONTENTS:
Welcome to new students
Christmas Oboe Concert
IRMT Scholarship Competition results
Write a paragraph about Why I love playing the Oboe
Joining an ensemble
NZSO Mentoring Programme
Upcoming orchestral auditions
Summer music courses
WELCOME TO:

Ute Partridge, Alex Titchener, Tiffany Cheng and Jennifer

Zhang who have recently joined my studio.

CHRISTMAS OBOE CONCERT

Tuesday 8 December Venue TBC

Our final oboe concert of the year is a celebration of a wonderful year of music
making with everyone playing duets and trios. Our concert in August was very
successful when I asked students to find their own pianists so I am carrying this
idea through to this concert. Rather than me putting students into groups, I will
be asking students to form their own pairs or trios. I can provide suitable music
and help with finding another player/s but individual students will take
responsibility for rehearsing. Ones partner does not have to be an oboist! For
example, you can team up with a violinist, flautist, bassoonist, cellist... no
pianists this time though.
.
The cost is $5 per performer to be paid before or on the night. Please bring a
small plate of food/drink for a shared afternoon tea at the end. Please let me
know asap if you are not able to attend.

IRMT SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION RESULTS

The winner of the $350 scholarship was Holly Butt and Francesca Orchard-Hall
was highly commended. Congratulations to these two students and also to the
other students who competed.

WHY I LOVE PLAYING THE OBOE

Many of you are members of NZDRS and will receive the ADRS Journal Reeding
Matter. For the November edition they have asked young players to write 100

to 200 words on Why I like Playing My Oboe/ Bassoon (and a photo of

themselves). I would need these in the by 9 October.

JOINING AN ENSEMBLE
The oboe is not a solitary instrument so I encourage my students to join an
ensemble as soon as they can. In the past month, five students who started the
oboe this year have joined school groups and although they cannot play
everything, they have come to lessons full of questions, learnt lots of new notes
and rhythms very quickly and even gone on Youtube to try and work how out
their parts fit into the whole. I am excited for them as they discover the joy of
group music making.

NZSO MENTORING PROGRAMME 2016

Many of my students have been selected for this programme which pairs you up
with an NZSO oboist for several free lessons and also entitles you to attend a
number of NZSO concerts. Applications close on Monday 23 November 2015.
For details go to https://www.nzso.co.nz/education/young-originals/formusicians/national-mentoring-programme/

UPCOMING ORCHESTRAL AUDITIONS

Now is the time to think about what band or orchestra you would like to be part
of next year. Many schools have excellent ensembles and for some, there may be
auditions. Make sure you have a piece at performance standard, can play the
scales at your level fluently and do some sight reading as a regular part of your
practice. Auditions for a number of excellent youth orchestras are also coming
up:
NZ Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra (NZSSSO)
http://nzssso.com/applications
The course is in Christchurch in the April holidays 2016. Applications close
on Friday 24 October. Many of my students have played in this orchestra
and have had a wonderful time.
Auckland Youth Orchestra
Auditions are in early December. Send an email to auditions@ayo.org.nz to
register for an audition or to get more information.
New Zealand Youth Symphonic Wind Orchestra
http://nzysw.org/application/
Applications close on 1 November 2015. Their summer course in Auckland
18 21 January 2016

SUMMER MUSIC COURSES

These summer courses are always a lot of fun! Why not go along with a friend
who plays an instrument?
APO Summer School http://apo.co.nz/summer-school-2016
Applications close 12 October 2015. For Grade 4 and above, age 10 -16
Waitaki Summer Music Camp
http://waitakimusic.org.nz/campnext/flyer.pdf

7 10 January Chamber Music 11 17 January Orchestral Playing

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Best wishes,
Alison
ALISON JEPSON ARCM GRSM PGCE AIRMT
281A Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn
Ph: 3788853
Mob: 021 1394299
alisonmjepson@gmail.com