Oboe and Recorder

Wednesday, 13 October 2004 17:19 Last Updated on Sunday, 06 July 2008 11:43 Written by Simon Cole
Erica Skowron principal Oboe of the Prince George Symphony teaches Oboe and Recorder.
Hi I'm Erica Skowron

     I teach voice, oboe, recorder, piano and Music theory and history here at the studio.  I have a bachelor of music performance.  I am the principal oboist of the Prince George Symphony.  I have performed solos with the orchestra both as an oboist and a singer and have toured much of northern BC and the Yukon with chamber groups. 
 I am constantly improving my skills through workshops, festivals and private lessons.  There are always new things to learn.  Many of many students and parents of students describe me as a teacher of incredible patience.  I never really think of myself as being patient but focused on helping my students achieve their goals.  It doesn't feel like I need to be patient. Music has always been my life and my passion and I enjoy passing on my knowledge to anyone willing to learn.  

 1434992.jpg  Recorder Lessons    
Students can begin to play the recorder as early as age 4.  Children with small hands can begin on a "Precorder", a recorder with raised holes designed for very young children or the sopranino, a smaller member of the recorder family.  I usually begin students on the soprano recorder if they can comfortably hold it. 

Parents or grandparents can choose to have lessons with their child.  I often recommend this for very young children.  The parent can then practise with their child at home in between lessons.  The discipline of daily practice does not come naturally to children and they need the guidance of their parents to encourage and even join them in daily practice sessions.

     Of course the recorder is not just for children.  My students have ranged in age from 4 - 70.  Adults can also learn to play the recorder.  The recorder is a great instrument.  It sounds pleasing from the start.  You can purchase a recorder for as little as $5.  The recorder is lightweight and easy to blow so even if you have a lot of strength in your hands you can easily hold a recorder and learn to make beautiful music. 
 It may even help with finger dexterity and hand eye co-ordination.  It can also help with left and right brain integration.  You can play a variety of styles of music on the recorder such as folk, Celtic, classical.  There are even pieces written for jazz recorder. 

     The recorder is also a great starter instrument for a child who is too small to play any of the other woodwind instruments.  The child will still learn about music and co-ordination of eyes, fingers and breath making the transition to another woodwind instrument easier.        
   

Oboe Lessons

 1434964.jpg    Oboe students can begin as soon as they can comfortably hold an oboe.  For some this could be about age 10.  The oboe can be a frustrating instrument at the beginning which is why I recommend that one gets lessons from the very beginning so that the proper embouchure can be set up from the start and the issue of reeds can be dealt with also. 
 I can sell handmade reeds to the student or adjust store bought reeds that are too hard to blow.  The oboe is a beautiful sounding instrument and the joy of playing it well worth that initial effort of learning to make a good tone. 

     For high school students who intend to audition for a university music program after high school, I recommend no less than a one hour lesson once a week and a minimum of one to two hours of practice a day.  Preferably, this would start from grade 8 or 9.  The competition for wind players is tough and all oboe players will eventually be expected to make their own reeds also.  I can teach reed making as part of the lesson.     
I also accept adult beginner or advanced oboe students.  The oboe can be a fun instrument to learn but does require a lot more commitment then some of the other instruments.  It is helpful if you have had some musical background before beginning the oboe.     


Reed making Lessons and classes and Handmade Oboe Reeds for Sale

    
I can teach reed making in private lessons or classes for oboe players or band teachers.  This can involve learning to make reeds from scratch or adjusting reeds purchased from a store.  I also sell reeds or would be happy to recommend other sources for quality handmade reeds.

     Feel free to email me with questions concerning lessons or where to purchase books and instruments or other questions concerning the recorder or the oboe. 

Erica Skowron

Erica Skowron

B.Mus Oboe and voice

principal oboe PGSO
competition winner, soloist with orchestra as oboist and singer (including song cycles, oratorios and opera arias).

Soloist on tours as singer and oboist.

Advanced classes with distinguished singers and instrumentalists.

Specialist in early music education including classes in Orf method and Kodaly method including study with a student of Kodaly.

Former music instructor CDC Prince George

Touring this fall as a singer .

featured work: Schubert's The Shepherd On The Rock, D 965

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