OBOE NEWS

From Alisons Studio

NOVEMBER 2015
CONTENTS:
Thank you; Studio Christmas concert; Congratulations; Grade Five theory class;
Upcoming orchestral auditions; Oboe servicing; Buying an oboe

THANK YOU
I realise that is has been a rather disrupted term, firstly with me missing the first week
due to a sudden trip back to the UK because my dad was very ill and secondly because I
had a last minute invitation to play with the NZSO which involved a week in Wellington
for rehearsals and a concert followed by concerts in Dunedin, Christchurch and Auckland
last week. Many thanks to you all for being flexible when I have had to alter lesson
times. I really appreciate your support.

STUDIO CHRISTMAS OBOE CONCERT FOR MY STUDENTS

When:7pm Tuesday 8 December
Venue: Music Department, Westlake Girls High School, Shakespeare Rd (exit
past Smales Farm)*
*map attached
Our final oboe concert of the year is a celebration of a wonderful year of music making
with everyone playing duets and trios with fellow oboists, friends or family members. All
performers should be there by 6.30pm for a final run through with their fellow
performers. The cost is $5 per oboist to be paid before or on the afternoon. Please
bring a small plate of food/drink for a shared supper at the end.
Please let me know asap if you are not able to attend. Several students have already let
me know that they will be away. Late notice means a lot of extra work and stress for me!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS FOR PASSING THEIR

OBOE EXAMS:
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade

2
3
4
5

Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8

Libby Twomey (Distinction)

Matthew Fulton (Merit)
Zoe Robinson (Distinction)
Andy Kim (Merit), Akari Ouchi (Merit), Matilda Hur (Merit),
Hannah Barber-Wilson (Merit)
Kevin Jeong
Lucinda Atkinson
Emma Wu (Merit), Francesca Orchard-Hall (Distinction)

GRADE FIVE THEORY CLASS

A number of my students need to pass their Grade 5 theory exam before they can sit
their Grade 6 practical exam. As you may know, I have been running a very successful
Grade 0 5 in Ten Lessons course. As the date of the first exam for the year is in
March, I would like to have an initial lesson before Christmas and then continue from Mid
January. In the New Year, I anticipate the day for the class will be Thursdays at 5pm.

Please contact me by Friday 4 December if you would like to be part of this first
course, as I am getting requests from students other than my own but would like to give
you the first option. I will then arrange a first lesson at a mutually convenient time.

UPCOMING ORCHESTRAL AUDITIONS

Auditions for a number of excellent youth orchestras are coming up:
Auckland Youth Orchestra
http://www.ayo.org.nz/joinus/
Auditions are on Saturday 5 December.
National Youth Orchestra
http://www.nzso.co.nz/education/nzso-nyo
Applications and orchestral excerpts are available online from January 2016.
Auckland Wind Orchestra and Auckland Youth Symphonic Band
http://awo.co.nz/
Both of these groups are in need of oboists next year so send them a message if
you are interested.

OBOE SERVICING
If you are lucky enough to own your own oboe, it is essential that you get it serviced
once a year and over the Christmas period is the ideal time. Oboes are very complex
instruments and if not maintained, can let one down at the most inconvenient moment!
If you have not had your oboe serviced recently, it may be a fairly costly exercise but
definitely worthwhile as your instrument will work much better. You will need make a
booking. I recommend:
Edison Junior at Vanguard Orchestral (Mt Eden) http://www.vanguardorchestral.co.nz/
Natasha Port at ABI (Glenfield) http://www.abi.co.nz
Maurice Reviol (Waiatarua, West Auckland) http://www.reviol.co.nz

BUYING AN OBOE
This is the time of year when many people decide to either buy or upgrade their oboe. I
cannot stress enough how careful you need to be when purchasing an oboe. There are
some oboes out there (particularly in China and Korea) which look fabulous, dont cost a
lot.... and are a complete waste of money because they are so badly made. Every year, I
have students who have bought one of these instruments when they have been
overseas and they have basically just thrown their money away as they dont work and
cause endless problems. So if you are thinking of buying, read my advice:
http://www.alisonjepsonoboe.com/information-regarding-buying-instruments.html
Anyone doing Grade 6 and above needs a good instrument, preferably wooden. These
cannot be hired. There is an excellent second hand instrument on my website:
http://www.alisonjepsonoboe.com/information-regarding-buying-instruments.html
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a relaxing holiday.
Best wishes,
Alison
ALISON JEPSON ARCM GRSM PGCE AIRMT
281A Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn
Ph: 3788853
Mob: 021 1394299
alisonmjepson@gmail.com