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    Band Instruments reeds and more..

    The  same reeds and gear I use for my own professional engagements, along with prices that match the big stores we offer valuable advice. Mouthpieces, stands, tuners, reeds cases, metronomes and instruments.

     

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    Professional Performing Musicians, Band teachers and Discerning Amateurs send their instruments to us.  Expert repairs and advice that only a first class performer and repairman can give. Since 1991 serving the North from Prince George. Repair and service for your instruments so they and you play at 100% all the time. 

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  • Music Lessons

    voice, piano, flute, saxophone oboe or clarinet  all ages and styles.
     Yes our students all do well on their exams get recommended to provincials or play in the symphony and in community events but more importantly they will have music as a fun and rewarding part of their lives- forever.

    Recommended by band teachers.

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  • Yamaha CSG Clarinets

     Simon Cole principal clarinet Prince George Symphony 

    A refined and ringing tone, superb intonation and response.

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     the New Horizons Senior Band For adults with no or long ago musical experience. Join us Mondays at 530-730 1st Baptist Church in PG for more info call the Director Simon Cole at 250-563-4693 or email him.

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    By Simon Cole / 2007-12-16 22:23:53
    We have done background music for most of the big companies and associations. We are very easy to deal with and our product is very high quality Live Music Small groups of 2-5 up to a small band .…
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    By Simon Cole / 2007-12-18 00:49:46
      #15007 soprano saxophone, straight body with two necks (straight & angled), clear lacquered body and keys, high F# key, low C# lock, pivoting low Bb spatula, engraved bell, high quality leather pads with metal resonators, roomy wood-shell case.…
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    By Erica / 2009-06-11 06:11:38
    Nobel Flute #11230 high quality student flute, silver plated throughout, closed holes (plateaux), offset G key, C footjoint. This flute is a best seller within the Nobel catalogue. It outperforms many brands of flutes in this category.…
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    By Simon Cole / 2011-06-13 08:30:12
    Band Instruments reeds and more.. The  same reeds and gear I use for my own professional engagements, along with prices that match the big stores we offer valuable advice. Mouthpieces, stands, tuners, reeds cases, metronomes and instruments.  
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  • Woodwind Repairs

    By Simon Cole / 2011-06-13 09:30:22
    Professional Performing Musicians, Band teachers and Discerning Amateurs send their instruments to us.  Expert repairs and advice that only a first class performer and repairman can give. Since 1991 serving the North from Prince George. Repair and service for…
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  • Music Lessons

    By Simon Cole / 2011-06-13 08:30:12
    voice, piano, flute, saxophone oboe or clarinet  all ages and styles. Yes our students all do well on their exams get recommended to provincials or play in the symphony and in community events but more importantly they will have music…
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  • Crack Repair
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Having lived and played in a Northern city for close to 20 years I have become a minor expert on cracked woodwinds. Not only is it cold and dry but we often have to play in drafty or cold halls a sure recipe for woodwind cracks. Read More
Uh........ Dad I think I sat on my Flute!Read More
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ImageThis is a Selmer series 10S clarinet and a Selmer recital  they are beautiful clarinets in great condition.
 The A in particular does not play as one would expect however, response tuning and tone are poor.
 These are usually very good clarinets. A quick check reveals that the pads do not cover, they are skin pads which have warped over time.

I am going to repad the top joint with cork pads on all keys which are usually in the closed position.
 The other 2 keys will have traditional skin pads.
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One Song Universus

Oboe and Recorder

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Published on Wednesday, 13 October 2004 17:00
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. 

Authorized dealers of Nobel Band Instruments

Nobel Clarinet

Nobel_clarinet14041 Bb CLARINET, brushed hard rubber body for a wood-like sound and finish, wear resistant nickel plated keys, waterproof Valentino pads, French blue steel needle springs, genuine cork bumpers and tenons, bell ring, 65mm Moenig bore barrel, light case with back pack straps. The quasi-indestructible nature of Valentino pads render the Nobel completely airtight and fully resonant. A best choice for a sound investment. $495

 
Every clarinet is set up and play tested before sale, most stores do not do this. This clarinet has had some undercutting of higher tone holes and resetting of pad heights done for better pitch and tone.

The material, reverse taper barrel and design give this clarinet a more mature rich sound when compared to standard student clarinets costing hundreds more. I have played one in the orchestra for outdoor concerts. 

Play along

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