<p>Why hello everyone! I am a sophomore in high school, intending on pursuing a career in Music Performance on the Oboe. I have been accepted to the Juilliard Pre-College, with Mr. Richard Dallessio as my studio teacher. I intend on auditioning for the BUTI (Boston University Tanglewood Institute), which is a summer camp for High School students at Tanglewood. I have a few questions, along with a few concerns that I would like to express.</p>
<p>I cannot deny the fact that several of the teaching methods that I was taught with for the past six years do not conform to much of anything that is usual for how someone was to learn to play oboe. For example, instead of teaching me etudes, long tones, and general technical exercises, she tended to focus more on teaching me through actual pieces and songs that we might be playing in the school ensemble or my competition pieces that I may be learning for state or regional events. Though I have obviously learned a sufficient amount from this, I feel as though I am lacking in the mandatory basics that go into oboe playing. (I believe Mr. Dallessio mentioned something along those lines, as well.) I preform in outside orchestras of good title, and have been taking every opportunity to attend classes or gain classes that will further my musical education. (I will be taking AP Music Theory in regular school, for example.) I realize, much of this, I can solve myself and with the help of Juilliard; but the fact remains that I feel like I am at a severe disadvantage.</p>
<p>My dream is Curtis. It is probably very much of a dream, and just a dream, to be getting in there. But I Intend to apply and do my best at auditions there. What do you think the general chances are, for someone to be accepted there? (There are a numerous things I have taken into account. When I did research on the Curtis Website earlier in the year, they extended the deadline for oboist applications, which meant to me, that they were in dire need of some.) Besides improving to the best I can possibly play the oboe, what other things do you think I can do to further my chances? I know Curtis does not offer summer camps or anything of the like, so are there any music festivals in the area I should be looking at? I know that, unfortunately, politics play a rather large role in music, so I would like to know, if there is anything, whether it is gaining the word of graduates, auditioning at certain events, etc. that I can do to better my chances of acceptance. I am not limiting myself to Curtis, however. I intend on applying to numerous other schools. (Though I do realize, for a secured job in the performance business, Curtis is the best bet.)</p>
<p>I have not had the chance of attending any IDRS conventions, because of their conflicts with regular school, and I am also lacking my professional instrument. (That should be rectified in the coming months, however, as Mr. Dallessio intends on helping me pick one out.) Not to mention the reeds I have (Which I have helped my teacher make and finish) are not quite like the reed that oboists in the US are playing on. They are the Regular American Scrape, but they are not as precise as the ones professionals in big orchestras play on. She doesn't make the tip as thin as you say it should be, as well as several other minor details. (Even though there are no minor details with reeds. Haha) My teachers has her undergrad from Boston University and her graduates from the Manhattan School of Music. She isn't the best of the best, but she is certainly a sufficient oboist. (And luckily has the privilege to be playing a beautiful Rosewood Laubin.)</p>
<p>Thank you for any and all assistance you can provide. >.< Thanks!</p>