Oboe

The oboe is similar in its appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using a “double reed” instead of a single reed and mouthpiece. Selection of oboe players is EXTREMELY limited. VERY few will actually be selected for oboe.

Physical Characteristics

Students with profound overbites or underbites would have EXTREME difficulties producing good sounds on the oboe since the embouchure (mouth position) requires equal pressure on both sides of the reed at the same placement.

Other Considerations

Because the oboe is such a difficult instrument to master, only students with high academic performance records will be considered. Students who choose (and are selected) to play oboe are REQUIRED to take weekly private lessons with the applied lesson teacher at Grapevine Middle School.

Private lessons cost $20.00 per week and scholarships are available based on financial need and demonstration of diligent work ethic. Students are required to maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds at ALL times. Students with a history of disciplinary trouble will NOT be considered for oboe.

The financial trade-off for having to take lessons and keep a stock of working reeds is that Grapevine Middle School provides oboes for students at a cost of $100 rental for an entire school year payable to GCISD for routine maintenance. Lessons for this instrument are required due to the complexity of the instrument.

2% of students will be selected for OBOE.

OBOE PERSONALITY: Studious