OBOE NEWS

From Alison’s Studio

April 2022

This is the first newsletter I have sent out for some time, last year being somewhat of a write off for a number of
reasons. As we near the end of Term 1, the highlight for me has been seeing all of you again in person for the
first time since August last year. Zoom lessons were definitely better than nothing but had many limitations.
Many of you are yet to return to our normal scenario as you have been having lessons outside, in gazebos,
outside porches, doorways and even under trees! Luckily the weather has been beautiful with hardly any wind
so it has been, for the most part, quite pleasant (except for last Monday when the temperature dropped to 14
degrees and my student and I got numb fingers).

WELCOME TO NEW STUDENTS

The 1st term always brings an exciting influx of new students and I very much look forward to watching you all
progress. This year quite a few of you are already proficient on another instrument which means you are likely
to progress quickly once you have mastered the basics of playing the oboe. A big welcome to these students:

Hannah Mahawish Baradene

Jason Seo and Isaac Young St Peters
Ana Croucher Western Springs
Bryan Lee and Ben Liu Auckland Grammar
Lydia Hwang Westlake Girls

CONGRATULATIONS
Lydia Hwang, a Year 10 student from Westlake Girls, has only had six lessons and has just passed her Chocolate
Fish Concert No 3 with Excellence! She is now starting on Grade Two level music. This is an outstanding
achievement. Well done Lydia.

NZDRS (NZ DOUBLE REED SOCIETY) ONLINE COMPETITION

Many of you entered this competition last year and a pleasing number of you won prizes. It is being run again
this year and it is my expectation that those of you who are eligible, will enter. It is an excellent opportunity for
getting one or two pieces up to performance standard and the associated pride that comes with playing really
well. The closing date is 15 May 2022 and you can find more details here:
http://www.nzdrs.org.nz/2021/02/nzdrs-oboe-and-bassoon-competition-2021.html

EXTERNAL EXAMS
As discussed, the majority of you will be doing an external exam this year. From experience I have found that
exams are a great motivator and help you to progress much faster. Providing you are practising regularly, this
will not be a stressful experience although it will be a new one as your exam will be videoed, exams being online
rather than in person. For the ABRSM Syllabus, you play four pieces and for the Trinity syllabus, three pieces and
a selection of scales. You will need to have a piano accompanist who I will arrange. It will be your responsibility
to know both how the exam must be presented, to arrange someone to video you and to upload the video.

You can find more information here:

ABRSM https://nz.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/performancegrades/key-information/ Go to Guidance for
Performance Grades
Trinity https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/digital/digital-grades-diplomas/classical-jazz

CHOCOLATE!
This week Jessica Armstrong decided to count her stickers and discovered she had earned FOUR chocolate bars!
Have you counted yours recently? 20 stickers= one chocolate bar.

Finally, if you ever have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Ngā Mihi,

Alison

Mobile: 021 1394299 Email: alisonmjepson@gmail.com Website: alisonjepsonoboe.com