Description
Whether a student is preparing for a public recital performance, a college entrance audition, a solo competition, a state honor ensemble, or their individual oboe lessons, the 21st century has brought the classical music world, sometimes eagerly and sometimes kicking and screaming, into a clamoring desire to produce and hear more diverse music. Whether the diversity comes from the identities of the composers or from their global styles and influences, we hear significant demand from students and teachers alike to broaden our choices of musical experiences. The ubiquity of Franz Wilhelm Ferling’s 48 Famous Studies for Oboe underscores the value in having oboe études be thoroughly performable pieces in their own right. Over the course of being oboe professors for decades, we seek to augment the skills cultivated in Ferling’s volume with a varied collection of living voices writing for oboists at a similar developmental level. “12 Soon-To-Be Famous Studies for Oboe” is our collective attempt to meet this demand with instructionally useful pieces that are also enjoyable in concert settings, both for performers and for listeners alike.
While a truly complete modern skill set is unattainable in a single volume, these pieces collectively develop many skills that are increasingly important in today’s musical world that weren’t yet factors in Germany in 1842. Whereas Ferling’s initial significance came from improved innovations in oboe keywork that enabled facility in all 12 major and minor keys over an increased range, this book addresses the fact that today’s oboist is expected to have at least some idiomatic fluency in a greater number of styles than ever before. In the following pages, you will find examples of blues, funk, Latin dance rhythms, multiphonics, harmonics, glissandi, complex meters and tonalities, and aleatoric improvisation, all in forms that are accessible and developmentally appropriate for motivated high school and college oboists. We hope that these pieces empower oboists to expand their musical comfort zones, develop a versatile skill set, and most importantly, embrace the cultivation of our own individual musical personalities.
Erin Brophey –
“As an oboist, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with technical study books. I recognize their importance for improving my technical facility. But I didn’t always enjoy learning them (or listening to my students play them.) Not so with this charming volume of studies! They are fun to listen to and musically rewarding to play. I’m delighted by the diversity in styles and technical difficulty. There seems to be the perfect study for each one of my students. With these studies, it IS possible to improve your technical abilities and enjoy yourself at the same time! Thanks to Sarah Hamilton and Aaron Hill for compiling this much needed resource!”
– Erin Brophey, Principal Oboe Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, Sessional Lecturer University of Saskatchewan, Director of the Oboe Path
Courtney Miller –
“A fantastic addition to our oboe pedagogy world! Thank you to Sarah Hamilton and Aaron Hill for this tremendous contribution. I use Sarah Hamilton’s Sight Reading and Tuning Duets regularly in my teaching, and I am excited to incorporate this book into my lessons immediately! Each of these etudes is approachable and stands on its own in performance. While the works are challenging, they are not overwhelming.
Additionally, these compositions lie well under the fingers, allowing for depth of expressive possibilities and imaginative pursuits. The book gets progressively more challenging as you move through it. The notes about each etude provided by the composer are helpful, informative, and inviting. Another highlight of this collection is the varied compositional styles of each composer. I invite you to dig into this book in your studies and share it with your students!”
– Courtney Miller, Assistant Professor of Oboe, University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Nermis Mieses –
“This compilation encourages oboists to engage with contemporary styles in an approachable way. The composers’ notes offer helpful context, and the pieces open up space to explore creativity and the use of extended techniques.”
– Nermis Mieses, Associate Professor of Oboe, Michigan State University
Jung Choi –
“I am so excited for this new “12 soon-to-be famous studies for oboe.” It empowers young musicians to think beyond traditional boundaries, explore new sonic possibilities through extended techniques, and connect with the vibrant world of contemporary composition including some of my favorite composers. By embracing creative problem-solving and fostering collaboration, this resource provides a holistic approach to musical growth and expression. I can’t wait to see this book actually become famous!”
– Jung Choi, Assistant Professor of Oboe, University of North Texas