Beloved

I looked down during a lesson & saw this....

DUCK TAPE holding my student's reed container together : )

I asked if he needed another container & he said, "No." I asked him why he had duck tape on his water container & he said it got stepped on but since it's his favorite container he just taped it & it still worked. Too funny! I guess we all have our own "beloved" water containers. It's just an oboe thing! : )

No Lessons 12/9 or 12/10

My son has strep throat & I suspect that I might, too. Since it is such a contagious sickness, I will not be teaching today or tomorrow. I will see everyone next week for the last lesson before the holiday break.

Kudos!

Great job playing tonight! Thank you for all coming. I know the residents really enjoyed hearing the music. I'm proud of you! PS - Someone left a green coat & I have it so let me know if its yours. : )

Retirement Home Performance Details

Retirement Home Performance Details:

Hearthstone Health Center by Round Rock Hospital

401 Oakwood Blvd, Round Rock, TX

(512) 388-7494‎

please be early (5:40) - warm up is brief, but important!

please be prepared - have instrument, reeds, stand, folder (with music in new order below)

please be lovely - dress (nice casual), visit & be pleasant to residents & staff, feel free to wear santa hats

please be musical- play your very best & enjoy!

holiday recital music order

(intro: mrs. schneider)

Silent Night: sax trio

Sleigh Ride: mr. schneider solo

(intro: mrs. schneider)

Jingle Bells: everyone

(intro: mrs. schneider)

Jolly Old St Nick: Deerpark & Chisolm beg.

Up on the Housetop: Grisham beg.

(intro: mrs. schneider)

Silver Bells: oboes HS and up

Little Drummer Boy: louisa solo

(intro: hillary)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: no beginners

(intro: maanasa)

Hark the Herald Angels Sing: everyone

(intro: delaney)

Deck the Halls: everyone

(intro: noah)

Rudolph: select - no beginners

(thank you: mrs. schneider)

We Wish You A Merry Christmas: everyone

please visit & hand out candy canes to our audience for a few minutes! then we might move & play a few more peices again for those not able to get to the main perfromance area. so be listening for instructions. : )

Holiday Performance Details

Here are the details for the performance on Monday, December 7th

Meet at the Hearthstone Health Center at 5:45 for setting up & warm up

Perform from 6:00PM-6:45PM

We will play and visit and hand out candy canes after. This will be a very appreciated performance & I am really looking forward to it!

Hearthstone Health Center by Round Rock Hospital

401 Oakwood Blvd, Round Rock, TX

(512) 388-7494‎

Practice Party Friday!

Friday's practice party is almost here & I am looking forward to it & hope you are too! We will start eating at 5:30 & I'd like to begin playing at 5:50 or so. Please remember to bring your instrument, music, pencil, stand & $5. We will plan to be done around 7:30PM

One more reminder that there will be no lessons next week because of the Thanksgiving holiday. I am thankful for each student I teach. I hope you enjoy your holiday & count your blessings!

The date for the performance is Monday, December 7th. The first location has fallen through so I am working on a new location & I will let you know details as soon as they become available. I am trying to find a retirement home in Round Rock.

Congrats!

Congrats to all my students who participated in District Try-outs yesterday! I am so proud of all your hard work! Auditions are not an easy thing to do, but so much is gained from preparing & participating in such auditions! Way to go oboes!!!

Holiday Perfromance Details

Thank you for your feedback on our upcoming holiday performance. As to be expected when trying to coordinate 30 people, there were conflicts with each date. I am sorry that a couple of students will miss the practice party but the other dates had even more conflicts.

The practice party will be Friday, November 20th from 5:30-7:30 PM at my house. Each student should bring their instrument, music stand, holiday music folder, pencil, & $5 for dinner. I will provide paper goods, drinks, & dessert.

The performance will be Monday December 7th. I will give you more details as soon as I get the details coordinated with the locations' social director.

I appreciate the support for this special effort. I know it will be a rewarding experience for all involved. Feel free to participate on the 7th even if the practice date doesn't work for you! There should be lots of practicing going on between now & then. : )

Important Info

Payment Reminder:

November payment is due by the 1st which is just around the corner. I can't believe it's almost November! How time flies!

District Try-outs:

7th & 8th grade students participating in DIstrict try-outs should be putting in good practice time in their last 2 weeks before the Nov. 7th audition. See the blog for practice tips.

Happy Thanksgiving:

There will be no lessons the week of Nov. 23-27 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Holiday Performance:

As we enter these very busy next two months, I am starting to schedule our holiday performance at a retirement home and a practice party date. I know from my own family's schedule how challenging this will be. I want to find a date that will allow as many of my students to participate as possible. This is always such a valuable, fun & appreciated experience. It is not required but I sincerely hope that everyone will participate if able.

Possible Dates:

I will have a practice party at my home in November, and the proposed date for this is Friday, November 20th from 6:00-8:30PM Everyone will bring their instruments, music, music stand, & $5 for pizza. We'll eat, practice & everyone can get to know each other a little. It is important to have as many performers there as possible so we can really put all of our trios together and feel like we can have a successful performance in December.

The December dates that I am considering are: Friday, December 4th or Monday, December 7th I am looking into locations to check the dates with them as well. This performance will take less than an hour. The start time will be determined after talking with the retirement home staff to see what works best for them.

District Try-Outs

District Band try-outs are just around the corner... November 7th to be exact. That gives all my 7th & 8th grade students who are participating 2 weeks to perfect those etudes & scales!

I know you are all working hard. Be sure to devote as much time as possible here in the home stretch and use your practice time wisely. Work on your trouble spots slowly & carefully. Once you have those down... start running etudes in their entirety with a METRONOME! Then start running them without a metronome and make sure you keep them steady! Most importantly make MUSIC & have FUN playing!!!!

Change of Schedule

Reminder: Tuesdays lessons will take place Monday this week because of Tuesday's early release.

Info on Holiday Performance

holiday recital music

You are invited to play fun holiday ensembles for a super appreciative audience.  My studio will be playing for a retirement home in early December. The exact date and place is TBD.  We will have a practice party prior to the performance at my house and after the performance we will go eat somewhere to celebrate and enjoy one another’s company.  Details will be posted later.  I know it seems early to be talking about this but everyone needs to start practicing the music now so it will be fabulous in early December.

Please take note of the following guidelines concerning the folders of holiday music.

The folder and all music is to be returned in original condition.  Replacement cost will be 5 dollars.

Please use only pencil marks on the music.

You may make your own copies to keep.

Practice your assigned parts and get together with each other and have fun practicing them.

Part Assignments

Assignments are to be kept unless I personally change something.  I have made these assignments so the ensembles will be balanced.  Everyone should have the opportunity to play each part at some point.  There are 3 ensembles in which not everyone will be playing but you can still practice them for fun.  I have also tried to have each ensemble assigned so you can cover all the parts at your school hopefully to encourage some individual group practices.  I know your band directors would love to see you guys practicing your little ensembles together once you each know your parts!  You can also try to get together at someone’s house to practice. Enjoy!

Grouping #1  (We Wish You. A Merry Christmas & Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer)

1 (Alan, Yuli, Noah, Rachel, Suraj, Kate, Michelle, Hillary, Erin, Marissa, Patter)

2 (Christina, Maanasa, Devin, Michael, Lynette, Morgan, Adam, Caitlyn, Louisa, Debbie)

3 (Delaney, Ana, Jade, Claudia, Haylee, Lauren, Ashley)

Grouping #2 (Deck the Halls, Hark the Herald Angels, & Little Drummer Boy)

1 (Christina, Ana, Devin, Michael, Lynette, Claudia, Morgan, Debbie, Adam, Lauren, Caitlyn, Hillary)

2 (Delaneyl Yuli, Noah, Jade, Kate, Haylee, Michelle, Ashley, Marissa)

3  (Alan, Maanasa, Rachel, Suraj, Erin, Patter, Louisa) 

Grouping #3 (Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas & Jingle Bells)

1  (Debbie, Delaney, Maanasa, Louisa, Jade, Haylee, Michelle, Ashley, Lynette, Morgan, Haillary,

    Adam)

2  (Alan, Ana, Rachel, Suraj, Claudia, Lauren, Kate, Erin, Patter, Marissa)

3  (Christina,Yuli, Noah, Devin, Michael, Caitlyn)

Silver Bells

1 (Erin, Marissa)  2 (Debbie, Lauren)  3 (Adam)

Sleigh Ride

1 (Patter, Louisa, Erin, Debbie)  2 (Adam, Lauren, Marissa)  3 (Caityln, Ashley)

Jack of the Green 

Grouping A (7th-10th grade oboes only)

October Payment Reminder

Just a friendly reminder that payment for October lessons is now due.  

Musical Monday

Mozart Oboe Concerto (Allegro Aperto) - Nicholas Daniel / Jiří Bělohlávek / BBC Symphony Orchestra

Here's a little musical inspiration! Enjoy!

Goal Tempo Recordings

Here are the Region etudes in their entirety and at goal tempo.  Please remember to learn them slowly & accurately.  Fast & bad are not a good combo!  Slow & steady wins the race... & helps to ensure you don't learn mistakes!  Be sure to continue practicing with the slower recordings until you have them done perfectly!

Gold - Number 7 - Set A Number 1

Gold - Set A Number 2

Gold - Number 8 - Set A Number 3

Practice Tempos

Here are the recordings with the different practice tempos.  Have fun!

Bronze - Number 7 - Set A Number 1

Bronze - Set A Number 2

Bronze - Number 8 - Set A Number 3

Silver - Number 7 - Set A Number 1

Silver - Set A Number 2

Silver - Number 8 - Set A Number 3

Mr. Oboe Super Bowl Commercial

The oboe gets some major attention in this super funny Super Bowl commercial!  Enjoy!  Oh, and be sure you play your oboe with better posture!  : )

A Great Start!

I have really enjoyed starting lessons this week.  It has been nice to see returning students and to get started with new ones too!  Thank you for your help in scheduling and for sending September payments. 

I would like to use this blog to help excite my students about being musicians.  I will have featured students of the month.  This honor will go to a student that has shown great improvement or simply just played something beautiful!  I will be adding music clips & videos along the way as well.

I hope you will bookmark this site & check it often.  With so many students I will use it as my primary communication.  I am re-posting the schedule with a few changes & minor adjustments.  

There were a couple of Grisham students wanting to take 30 minute lessons.  After talking to the kids, we have worked it out to get the first student to class to start before the bell & the second one to go after the bell giving us enough time for 30 minute lessons. Passes to class will be given as needed. 

Fall 2009 Schedule

 

Tuesday:

Deerpark

7:20-8:20 Sectional 

9:14-10:04 Hillary

10:08-10:30 Delaney

10:30-10:58 Alan

3:30-3:50 Michael

3:50-4:20 Rachel

4:20-4:40 Christina

4:40-5:00 Jade

5:00-5:45 Adam

Wednesday:

Home Studio

1:15-2:15 Debbie

3:15-3:45 Caitlyn

3:45-4:15 Erin

4:15-4:45 Ashley 

Thursday:

Grisham

7:15-7:45 Ana

7:45-8:15 Maanasa

9:10-9:40 Kate

9:40-10:10 Lynette

11:02-11:32 Suraj

11:32-12:02 Claudia

12:02-12:32 Yuli

Chisolm

1:05-1:35 Noah

1:40-2:32 Morgan 

3:30-4:00 Haylee 

4:00-4:30 Devin

4:30-5:15 Lauren

5:15-6:15 Marissa

 

Sunday:

Home Studio

2:30-3:00 Michelle

Recordings of Region Etudes #1

I will be posting complete recordings soon.  There are mistakes in the music that will need to be corrected.  If you haven't already gotten the corrected versions, you will this week.

Here are recordings of the Region 26 MS Audition Etudes.  They are at the bronze tempo and are the first half of each piece.  I will add more as we go.  

Feel free to practice along with them.  The tempos are listed below:

#1 quarter = 70

#2 quarter = 40 (or eighth note = 80)

#3 quarter = 70

Set A Number 1 bronze 1.mp3

Set A Number 2 bronze 1.mp3

Set A Number 3 bronze 1.mp3

Payment & Reed Policy 2009-2010

Payment Policy - 

There is a set lesson fee per month.  This lesson fee is based on 32 lessons over the school year at the $40/hour rate, divided by 9 months.  The monthly rate is due whether your child has 1 lesson or 5 lessons in a given month.  This is both the easiest payment method to keep track of & the most fair to me to ensure a steady commitment and income.  It also simplifies payment.   Please note...  There are no make up lessons!

This amount is due on the first of each month, and my preference is that you set up an automatic payment if you pay bills on-line.  This way your child will not have to worry about handling the money, and  it ensures the payment won’t unintentionally slip your mind.   If you are unable to set up automatic on-line payments, please make sure your student delivers payment at the first lesson of each month.  Payment can be mailed to:   (Maegan Schneider, 2507 Highland Trail, Leander, Tx 78641)

$40 /hr rate x 32 lessons / 9 months = avg

($15 / 20 minutes) $52

($20 / 30 minutes) $70 

($30 / 45 minutes) $105

($40 / 60 minutes) $140

Reed Policy:

Reeds continue to be $15 each and should be paid for at the time of purchase.  I take time with each student & help with reed selection. Once a reed is purchased it cannot be exchanged.  If during the selection process a reed is broken it must still be paid for.  I have a "you break, you buy" policy also know as a "you break, I cry" policy.  Please stress to your child to take great care of reeds to ensure a long life.  Accidents do happen... I've had a few over the years but with great thought & care they can be avoided in most cases.  Please give me a week's notice when reeds are needed.  

Students should ideally have 3 usable reeds at all times but two usable reeds are a must.  If you have another source of homemade reeds that your child plays well on that is fine.  I am always looking for other sources of great quality reeds. With so many students needing reeds as well as supplying reeds for my own playing it will be a challenge to keep my supply stocked.  Store bought reeds are inferior in many ways but might be necessary on occasion.  Please never buy soft or med-soft.    IF you have to buy store bought reeds only buy med-hard or hard.  If they are too hard I  can make necessary adjustments.  If they are too soft nothing can be done.

Reed-mania

Several of you have expressed the need for reeds.  I will be making as many as I can get done for next week. If you have contacted me for reeds I will reserve some for you.  I always appreciate the week heads up so I can make necessary time for reed work.  With almost 30 students, it will be a challenge to supply reeds for all.  Reeds remain $15 each & must be paid for when received. 

Tentative Schedule

Lessons will start next week on the 8th, 9th, & 10th.

Tuesdays 

Deerpark

7:30-7:50 Jade

7:50-8:20 Rachel

9:14-10:04 Hillary

10:08-10:30 Delaney

10:30-10:58 Alan

3:30-3:50 Michael

3:50-4:20 Aleah

4:20-4:40 beginner

4:40-5:00 

5:00-5:45 Adam

Wednesdays

1:15-2:15 Debbie

3:15-3:45 Caitlyn

3:45-4:15 Erin

4:15-4:45 Ashley

Thursdays

Grisham

7:20-7:50 Ana

7:50-8:20 Maanasa

9:15-9:40 Kate

9:40-10:05 Lynette

11:00 -11:25 Suraj

11:25-11:52  Claudia

11:52 -12:22  Yuli

Chisolm  

1:00-1:36 Noah

1:40-2:32 Morgan 

3:30-4:00 Haylee

4:00-4:30 Devin

4:30-5:15 Lauren

5:15-6:15 Marissa

Update

I have been working hard to work out scheduling for the school year.  I am teaching for 3 middles schools, several high schoolers, some home-schoolers, & some other adult musicians. It is complicated by the fact that I have 2 young children to attend to & I'm trying not to over extend my mother's help.  Based on all of this, I have chosen the chunk of the days that each school has the most available oboists.  I will do my best to get everyone in. 

As it looks right now, I plan to start before school at Grisham on Thursdays and teach through noon.  I will then travel over to Chisolm to teach during and after school. I plan to teach before school & during the day at Deerpark on Fridays.  

I will be trying to finalize who goes in which time spot & how to work in my other students to my week as well.  I am planning to start teaching the week of Labor Day to allow time for Kaiden to get a good start in kindergarten and give us time to adjust to our new schedule.  

Now all that being said...  Yesterday, my sweet little mama fell outside of a restaurant & landed face first on the asphalt.  She was hurt badly.  911 was called and ENT's checked her out & assessed no major damage.  I took her to my house & my dad came over & we got her in.  She got worse through the day & around 9PM she decided she needed to go to the ER in an ambulance.  After a late night there they determined she has a broken bone in her hand & a broken knee cap.  She is on the way to the orthopedic surgeon as I type & will have to haveknee replacement surgery.  This will be an involved recovery at her her age & will affect my schedule to varying degrees.  

I will be working on alternative options to help with my boys so I will still be able to teach.  I will keep you posted as things progress. 

Fall Lessons

I thoroughly enjoyed teaching summer lessons this year!  It was eventful with the move, but there was lots of progress made by all.  I am looking forward to continuing with you as this new school year begins.  

I plan to begin lessons the week of September 8th.  I will post my schedule as soon as possible as well as payment information.  I hope the year starts off well for you!

Upcoming Scheduling

We have been moving in since Wednesday, and we are exhausted & overwhelmed.  I'm am so glad to be here though!

I do not know my fall schedule yet as I will have to coordinate with 3 different middle school schedules & Kaiden's new school schedule as well.  

I will be working on the possibilities later this week & trying to finalize it next week. 

Lessons to be held at my new house!

Lessons will take place at my new house starting on the 6th.

Directions:

From south 183 or 183A:

• North on 183 (or 183A), through Cedar Park
  
• Left at New Hope
  
• Right on Lakeline
  
• Left on Osage (not a light, but neighborhood entrance - The Highlands at Crystal Falls)
  
• Turn right on Highland Trail (at stop sign)
  
• Go straight after the next stop sign & our house is down at the end on the left
  
• 2507 Highland Trail, Leander, TX 78641

Feel free to ask me if you'd like to know alternate routes.

Tying on Blanks

The pics are courtesy of our most recent reed-making class.   

Here are some important things to remember about tying on blanks:

• soak cane for at least 25 minutes
• tie thread on a hook for best positioning
• unwind thread enough so you have room to work
• measure carefully and make pencil marks
• start wrapping thread around the cane checking both sides constantly to ensure even closing of the sides
• check the cane to make sure it is straight side-to-side as well as parallel to the mandrel
• once wrapped almost to the bottom make 3-4 knots and cut your thread
• measure, mark, and scrape your tip and then allow it to dry out overnight

Reed Class Reminders

All the new little reed-makers are on their way!  You guys are doing great.

Assignment for the week:

make one new blank for me to check

get one more reed's tip scraped enough to clip

get the reed you clipped open tonight thinned out more & crowing some

Reminders:

be patient

be patient

be patient

: )

also...  take your time on each step

sharpen your knife often

don't use pressure on your strokes

make sure your strokes go only one way & follow all the way through at a good angle

Next week's class will be at the Gill's again at 6:30. 

have fun!!!

What's Up Wednesday?

It's Wednesday & I thought it would be a good time for a weekly update.  

The first reed class went well for the students involved with that venture.  If you got started with me last night be sure to be patient & practice in a well lit room & try to make a good work space for yourself.  There should be some "carpentry" going on for your tie-on boards.  : )  

If you weren't able to make it to the first class, do not worry we will meet again Tuesday at the Gill's house at 6:30PM.  If you are not involved with the reed classes now don't feel left out because you will be able to join in the fun in a year or two.  Remember it is a whole other skill set & takes lots of time, patience & money to be successful.  Once you have a really good start to oboe playing then you can begin the adventure in reed making.  : )

Lessons this week are taking place at Grisham MS.  See you tomorrow!

Contact Info

Here is my cell: 512.296.6945

This is the best way to reach me along with e-mail.  I will be out of town for a funeral until late tomorrow.  Please put this number in your address book so you can call me if you need.  I will see you Thursday.

The Craziest Lessons Ever

Are you ready for the craziest lesson ever?  : )  We are having lessons today & they are happening in an almost entirely empty house.  Very strange.  Also, there are roofers making a HUGE mess outside so please watch out for falling debris!

Next week's lessons will take place at the Chisolm Trail Middle School band hall.  I will try to give directions soon, but it would be easy to find on the school's website.

Beginner Oboe Practice Sessions

Beginning Habits!

• Sit with great posture!
  
• Practice correct breathing:  take deep breath in & fill your tummy tank up, exhale & empty your tummy tank
  
• Practice super FAST air!  Put hand in front of face & blow super fast!  No wimpy air allowed!!!
  
• Practice correct embouchure in front of mirror:  round lips like you’ve pulled a drawstring, firm bottom lip & corners, never bite!
  
•   Carefully place reed in your mouth only to the heart... do not put too much reed in your mouth!!!
  
• Take a proper breath, form a great oboe embouchure & blow really fast steady air.  Hold it for 8 counts  (tapping toe at a steady beat).  This is a “long tone.”
  
• Try increasing long tones by 2-4 counts.  Remember to check that everything above for proper technique.
  
• Practice sirens on your reed:  roll bottom lip & corners in &  out slowly while blowing really fast air.  The reed does not move in & out, the heart stays on your lip & your mouth does all the hard work.
  

Assemble oboe:  

• Put your case on the floor latch side up!  
  
• Start with the bell in your left hand & rest it on your  left knee, with keys facing the left  carefully pick up the middle joint with your right hand  (put  palm on the back/black part & carefully put your fingers down on the keys being sure not to squeeze any silver rods),  carefully line up the bridge key & gently turn & push joints together - cork grease will help if it is difficult... 
• carefully pick up the upper joint with your right hand (put palm on the back/black part & carefully put your fingers down  on the keys being sure not to squeeze  any silver rods), carefully line up the two bridge keys & gently turn & push joints together - do not turn too far because youcan bend key

Playing your oboe:

• Practice correct fingering position:  all fingers should lightly touch keys (including pinkies)!  Look in a mirror.
  
• Make sure your oboe is at a 45 degree angle and your elbows are not too close to your body.
  
• Carefully insert your reed.  Watch out for your reed!  It’s now a  target!
  
• Practice a “G” 1,2,3 in your left hand...  hold it steady for  8 counts, increasing as you go...
  
• Practice your assigned notes... make sure your embouchure, air, posture & hands are all correct.
  

Cleaning your oboe:

• Make sure your swab has no knots in it!  Never insert  it in your oboe if it has knots!!!  
  
• Drop it into the bell end & pull it out the top slowly & carefully.
  

Disassemble oboe:  

• Take reed out & put it away in your reed case.
  
• Carefully remove the bell with your left hand & put it in your case. 
  
• Carefully remove the middle joint with your right hand  (put  palm on the back/black part & carefully put your fingers down on the keys being sure not to squeeze any silver rods), don’t twist too far!!!
  
• Carefully remove the upper joint with your right hand (put palm on the back/black part & carefully put your fingers down on the keys being sure not to squeeze  any silver rods), don’t twist too far!!!
  

Remember to learn things slowly & correctly!  It is really hard to break bad habits but really easy to learn good ones!