Oboe Professor @merceryou + @georgiasouthernuniversity + Artistic Director @horizonchamberseries + Reedmaker @grindcityreeds
Tricky tricky!! Can’t wait for this debut (and many more) at Bang on a Can!
Another music stand POV iPhone practice recording no one asked for 🤣😅
Barret Articulation #6!
I remember being so scared of these few short and fiery measures! I was assigned this way back in my second summer attending johnmackoboecamp and practiced like the dickens (surely not with the most stable or responsive of reeds😅)! We have come a LONG way….
Keep the tongue close to the reed, keep movements minimal, do not focus on staccato, but just keep it light and bubbly. This one is particularly aiding by practicing it in different (easier) transpositions - playing it in F major can help separate finger twisting from tongue twisting! While speed is never the goal for these studies, try to get this one up to dotted quarter at 72 for a great workout and warmup!
Back from a much needed vacation and straight jnto the woodshed! Plenty of notes to learn over the next few weeks before IDRS and Bang on a Can! Tricky EH work in Martin Bresnick’s amazing work Just Time!
idrsofficial memphisoboes uofmemphis bangonacan
05/25/2026
Thanks for the help putting this list of reed tools and supplies together, rdgwoodwinds! This is such a great simplification for students and the memphisoboes!
Early flight up to the 216 tomorrow for rehearsal with clevelandrepertoryorchestra! Reeds are dialed in, blanks are made, and my bag is (sort of) packed!
Higdon Oboe Concerto
Saturday 5/23/26
Rocky River Presbyterian Church
7:00 PM
05/21/2026
And another idrsofficial repost!
Stoked to join oboe bestie rachelmessingmusic for a duo recital on Day 3! We are tracing the progression of oboe and English horn duo literature!
05/21/2026
Reposting from idrsofficial! myuanyz and I will be performing a recital of debuts on day 2! Both consortium works by Nathan Hall and Jane Kozhevnikova, as well as Dawson Hull’s fiery Poplar Avenue (if you know the reference, you know what to expect!). Pumped to be a nerd and see everyone, hear everyone, and enjoy community!
Barret Articulation #5!
Slurring and shaping amidst a slur goes hand in hand with variety of expressive articulation! When I was a freshman, I really struggled with this study, and looking back, I think it was a lack of consistent support over the smaller intervals of 3rds and 4ths. In a masterclass once, I heard the amazing Scott Bell equate this study to the Schumann Romances - engaged airspeed over the smaller intervals halo prepare for the larger swaths. Tricky and telling - Barret really knew how to show our sins! Even from the first note, it is imperative that we practice a calm start, without too much extraneous tongue sound! Keep the character and keep the air moving. Once again, another chance to explore accented notes, terraced dynamics up and down, and the complete dynamic range.
Barret Articulation #4!
Different practice space, and a different reed for the next one in the series! This short and sweet study is a great chance for development of giving different inflection to repeated gesture and repeated notes. I love the descending tongued chromatic passage beginning the second line, and really try to explore diminuendo while keeping the sparkle in the sound and rebound.
05/18/2026
I’m a bit late to posting this picture, but in my defense I didn’t even know this photo was taken until this afternoon…and of course my hood is in shambles LOL but what else is new! 🤦😂
Thanks uofmemphis for the years of education, investment, and opportunities. Thanks to my adoring wife (happy anniversary), teacher(s), family, and friends for the support and guidance. It doesn’t feel real quite yet.
