FAQ's for Prospective Students
Q: How do I schedule a lesson and visit at OSU?
A: If you are interested in visitng OSU or having a lesson with Professor Bosma, contact her at melissa.bosma@okstate.edu. When you come to visit campus, you are able to schedule a campus tour, attend classes/rehearsals, and even attend a football game if you visit over a home game weekend! The #OSUoboes are looking forward to meeting you and having you on campus!
Q: How often will I meet with Professor Bosma?
A: Oboe students take weekly one-hour lessons, and patrticipate in studio class from 2-3pm on Tuesdays. Professor Bosma maintains an updated schedule on her office door and offers office hours where students may stop by for additional reed help, oboe adjustments, etc.
Q: What should I play in my audition?
A: It is recommended that you prepare two contrasting works of your choice. You may prepare two etudes, two movements of a solo, or one etude and one movement of a solo. Your selections should vary in tempo and character, so that we may hear your abilities in both slow, lyrical music as well as your technical proficiency.
Proficiency of major scales and arpeggios are recommended but not required. Beginning reed-making skills are recommended but not required.
Q: What are you listening for in my audition?
A: First and foremost, we want to hear you play your best! In your audition, we are listening for your current ability as a performer as well as your potential for success as a music major at OSU.
In your slow selection, we are listening for a beautiful tone and expression within your phrasing. Be certain to play the dynamics written on the page, and plan your breaths so that you can execute your phrasing easily. We also look for a good sense of pitch and the development of vibrato within the slow selection.
In your fast selection, we are listening for solid rhythm and even technique within a more technically demanding etude or solo. Be sure to practice your audition music with a metronome. Good rhythm stands out as an extremely positive attribute when you take an audition!
Q: How can I be considered for a music scholarship?
A: First, fill out a music department scholarship audition form. Call the OSU band office at 405-744-6135 to obtain a copy.
Your audition for entrance into the music program will serve as your audition for scholarships within the music department. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of talent and potential to succeed as a music major at OSU. A limited number of music department out-of-state tuition waivers are available as a scholarship award by a competitive selection process.
When considering which students will receive music scholarships, we take into account the preparation of the student’s audition, high quality of the student’s audition, musicianship, as well as high school GPA and ACT/SAT score.
Music scholarships can be combined with academic scholarships awarded by the University, so we recommend that you apply for all scholarships you may qualify for at OSU.
Q: What method books do you recommend?
A: The method books I recommend for incoming freshmen are as follows:
-Hite/Baermann, Foundation Studies
-Barret, Oboe Method
-Ferling, 48 Famous Studies
Q: What reed-making materials and tools do you recommend?
A: Here is a list of basic reed tools to get your started on making your own reeds. Click on the item to be directed to a double reed vendor where you can purchase these items for a reasonable price.
Wedge-type razor, double hollow ground reed knife
India sharpening stone
Cutting block
3 Flat plaques
1 Contoured plaque
Small Ruler (or you can find a small 6 inch ruler with metric measurements at your local office supply store)
MCW Mandrel
Oboe staples, 47 mm, Bronze
FF Nylon Reed Thread
Single Edged Razor Blades
Cane*
*If you are planning to enroll at OSU in the fall, you will have access to gouging and shaping equipment, so you may buy oboe tube cane in bulk. I recommend Rigotti Oboe Tube Cane from Woodwind Brasswind.
*If you are not enrolling at OSU in the near future, you will need to purchase gouged and shaped cane in order to begin making reeds. If you are a beginning reed-maker, I recommend purchasing practice cane. If you are more advanced in your reed-making and need to purchase gouged and shaped cane, I recommend this cane, shaped on a Caleb -1. (I recommend 10.5-11 diameter in the summer and 10-10.5 in the winter.)
