Oboe

Oboe

The oboe is similar in its appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using a “double reed” instead of a single reed and mouthpiece. Selection of oboe players is EXTREMELY limited. VERY few will actually be selected for oboe. Students are selected to switch to oboe at the end of the first semester of sixth grade. Oboe players are usually selected from the clarinet class. At times, some beginning flute players have also made great oboe players!

Physical Characteristics

Students with profound overbites or underbites would have EXTREME difficulties producing good sounds on the oboe since the embouchure (mouth position) requires equal pressure on both sides of the reed at the same placement.

Other Considerations

Because the oboe is such a difficult instrument to master, only students with high academic performance records will be considered. Students who choose (and are selected) to play oboe are required to take weekly private lessons.

Students are required to maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds at ALL times. Students with a history of disciplinary trouble will NOT be considered for oboe.

The financial trade-off for having to take lessons and keep a stock of working reeds is that Stillwater Band provides oboes for students at a cost of $50 rental for an entire school year payable to Stillwater Band for routine maintenance.