Oboe at SUNY Fredonia


Studio Oboe
Oboe lessons at SUNY Fredonia focus on the development of the individual potential of each student. Technical aspects of playing are covered, i.e. tuning and tonal focus, embouchure flexibility, high note fingerings, articulation, the mechanics of dynamics, double-tonguing, scales and arpeggios, etc., but all in a context of developing lyrical, musical playing. Reedmaking is also covered in lessons as well as during freshman reedmaking class.
Oboe lessons are one hour for both performance and music education majors, and half an hour for Bachelor of Arts in Music, music therapy and sound recording majors. Class oboe (MUS 104) is for non-music majors from across the campus to take oboe lessons. Oboe class (MUS 173-273) is available for music education majors to learn how to play and teach the oboe. Secondary applied oboe (MUS 315-316) is for non-oboist music majors interested in private oboe lessons.


Rosch Recital Hall

Performing opportunities:

  • The College Symphony (Past repertoire includes: Petroushka, Three Cornered Hat, La Mer, Beethoven’s Third Symphony, Mahler’s First Symphony, Scheherazade, Brahms First Symphony, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Brahms’ Haydn Variations etc)
  • The College Chamber Orchestra (a touring ensemble that focuses on Baroque and 20th small orchestra music)
  • The Wind Ensemble (a touring ensemble)
  • The Wind Symphony
  • The Concert Band
  • All College Band
  • Woodwind Chamber ensembles
  • Vocal/guitar/percussion/string chamber ensembles


Wind Ensemble oboe section

Oboe study at Fredonia College is also enriched by:
•Oboe reed classes for the freshman year. All aspects of Oboe and English horn reed making are covered, as well as some adjusting and repair. There is an oboe reed room which includes a Ross gouger, a Graf gouger, a Mack Pffeifer shaper, a Brennan X shaper, and Gilbert -1 English horn shaper.

•Weekly studio classes and woodwind area recitals.

•Guest masterclasses with artists from orchestras and colleges. Past guests have included: Geoffrey Burgess (Baroque oboe), Stephen Caplan (Body Mapping), Martin Schuring, Jared Hauser, Aaron Jakubiec, Pierre Roy, Carolyn Banham, Anna Mattix, Christopher Weait, Florence Myers, Kate Nettles, Cheryl Bishkoff, Rodney Pierce, Danna Sundet, Geralyn Giovannetti, Robert Sorton, the Westpoint Woodwind Quintet and the Dorian Quintet.

•Guests in related fields have been have been Yoga teachers, Alexander teachers, bodymapping specialists, oboe repair specialists, and physical therapists.


•English horn study is encouraged. The School owns five english horns for student use.The instruments are used regularly for solo and ensemble performance.

•There are professional playing and teaching opportunities in the area and surrounding communities, including the Western New York Chamber Orchestra, The Erie Chamber Orchestra, The Erie Philharmonic, and the Southern Tier Symphony.


Oboe graduates from Fredonia College teach public school and college, perform in community and professional orchestras, practice as music therapists, and as sound recording technicians. See the Oboe Alumni page for more details.