Lauren Kowal Oboe Studio
Guidelines for Students
Contact Information
Lauren Kowal
4302 Executive Pkwy
Apt 223
Westerville, OH 43081
[Link]@[Link]
(248)229-6806
Welcome!
Hello, and welcome to my oboe studio! I am very excited to have you join me
in the world of the oboe. My name is Lauren, and I am currently a graduate
student at The Ohio State University in Oboe Performance and Arts
Administration and Policy. I can’t wait to meet you and learn more about you
and their musical interests, but first I would like to inform you of some of my
studio policies!
This document, as well as other resources for students, can be found on my
website at any time.
Lessons
In this section, you will find all you need to know about taking lessons with me.
First Lesson
Every student who is interested in studying with me will receive one (1) free
half-hour (30 minute) lesson. In this lesson, you should bring your best foot
forward with scales and repertoire (this can also be band class music). All I
ask is that you bring what they have already learned, a good attitude, and a
willingness to try something new!
This lesson will introduce you to my teaching style, and help me gauge your
current level. Then, I can better plan fundamental and repertoire assignments.
You will also receive one free reed during your first lesson!
Weekly Expectations
It is my expectation that you will come to your lessons having practiced your
assignments and with two working reeds. I expect that beginning students
(<1-3 years of experience) are practicing 4-5 days per week (outside of their
lesson and band class time) for 20-30 minutes each day. I expect more
advanced students (2-7 years of experience) are practicing 5-6 days per
week for 30-60 minutes each day.
Each week, you will be assigned a scale, 1-3 fundamental exercises, an etude,
and/or a movement or section of a solo work. If time allows, you may bring
band music that you need extra help with, but that will not be the focus of our
time together1. I may also periodically ask you for short, written assignments. I
expect these to be treated like your school homework and turned in on-time
and to the best of your ability.
I also expect that you will bring all of the materials you need for that lesson
including (but not limited to): your instrument, any method books, sheet
music, band parts, instrument care/accessories, your reeds, reed soaker, etc.
While there are always unforeseen circumstances, please do your best to
arrive on time, if not 5-10 minutes early for your lesson, so that we can
utilize our full time together.
1
Oboe lessons and “band tutoring” are not synonymous. In lessons, students learn skills that
can be applied to their band music. We can work through technical issues and I can give
students exercises to help them practice their band music, but I am not here to teach the
students their band music.
Lauren N. Kowal - Updated 1/2024
Lesson and Practice Journal
If you schedule lessons with me beyond the trial lesson, you will be given a
binder with a lesson and practice journal. In our weekly lessons, I will record
what we worked on, and what you should focus on in your practice for the
next week. There will be spaces for you to fill in for when you practice, what
you practiced, how you practiced (which we will talk about in our lessons),
and for how long. It will also have a rating scale for how well you felt your
practice went that session, and how focused you were while practicing that
session. I expect you to fill out this journal each time that you practice. You
can also use this for practicing your band assignments.
Audition Preparation Lessons
Audition Preparation (sometimes called mock-audition lessons) are required
to be scheduled before any OMEA solo-and-ensemble competition dates if
you are competing solo. Please inform me if you are participating in OMEA,
taking youth orchestra auditions, or taking college auditions with the most
time possible so we can review the requirements together and ensure you
have the most preparation time possible.
OMEA: This lesson (depending on the requirements for your age category) will
most likely need to be scheduled at a location with a piano. Please begin
scheduling this lesson at least one month in advance of the lesson date to
ensure that myself, you, and your pianist are all able to be in attendance at
an accommodating location. If you are unable to find a pianist, I am able to
recommend piano accompanists.
This lesson will begin with a short warm up and a run-through of your
prepared piece with piano. I will take notes much like the jurors do, and ask for
scales and a short sight-reading piece. I will then provide feedback and help
coach you on performance techniques, final touches, and playing with your
pianist.
Lauren N. Kowal - Updated 1/2024
Youth Orchestra or College Auditions: College and youth orchestra auditions
are typically a performance without piano. In lessons leading up to these
auditions, I will provide you with different sight reading exercises each lesson.
At the mock-audition lesson, I will listen to you play through your piece(s), ask
for scales, and ask you to sight read a short passage. I will take notes and
coach you through performance techniques and final touches.
Reed Lessons
As students become more advanced in their playing, their reeds begin to
demand more personal features from student to student. It is also customary
that students learn how to make their own reeds, or begin to learn the process
before they attend college (if they are continuing playing the oboe in music
school). I do not recommend reed lessons until high school, but each student
is different, and I consider that when making recommendations to start
learning reed making.
I offer reed making lessons in different intervals, as the beginning stages of
reed-making are time consuming, and require undivided attention. When
learning the first steps of reed making, please plan for a 1 hour lesson. As your
skill increases, that time will decrease and can be incorporated into your
regular lesson time, but this learning period varies from student to student.
If adding another hour to your current weekly lesson schedule (either on the
same day or a different day) isn’t possible, I would recommend waiting until
summer break before beginning these lessons, so they can be taken on a
bi-weekly basis in place of their regular lesson.
Lauren N. Kowal - Updated 1/2024
Reeds
Oboe reeds are the “heart” of the instrument. Therefore, it is imperative that
you have functioning, consistent reeds for your lessons, your practice, and
your band class to ensure the best outcomes for their practicing, performing,
and experience playing the oboe.
Purchasing Reeds
Students who study with me (unless provided for free from another source
such as their school) must purchase reeds from me so I can ensure the
quality and consistency. This also makes it better for me and your student for
reed adjustments and customization. I will adjust my own reeds free of
charge. Reeds not purchased from me will have a $2-5 adjustment fee,
depending on the amount of time needed to make the proper adjustments.
Students should have a minimum of two functioning reeds at all times to
promote longevity through rotation and to have a backup in case of an
emergency. Of course, you can purchase more than two reeds at a time, or
just one at a time as they need them.
In the case of an emergency2 I offer a “rush” service for an additional $10 per
reed needed. Should you arrive at your lesson with no reeds or “dead” reeds, I
reserve the right to require a reed to be purchased at that lesson, including
the $10 rush fee.
Staple Return Discount
The staple is the cork part of the reed that the cane is tied to. Returning the
staple and the protection tube that the reed was delivered in will result in a $3
discount on the next reed purchased.
2
I consider a reed emergency less than 48 hours notice of needing a new reed. A week is
preferred, but I can accept reed orders with over 48 hours notice.
Lauren N. Kowal - Updated 1/2024
Instrument
Instrument Care
While the instrument you bring every week may not belong to you (school
instrument, rental, etc.) it is expected that your instrument will work when you
come to your lesson. I am able to make minor adjustments and instruct on
day-to-day care for your instrument, but I am not capable of replacing pads,
straightening rods, replacing cork, or repairing cracks. If the instrument is a
loaner, please ensure that it is given back to the school or taken back to the
music store from which it was rented for repair.
If the instrument is owned by you, I am able to recommend repair technicians
in the area for quick fixes, and those who have established shops for more
advanced repairs.
If your instrument is out for repair and you are unable to get a loaner from
another source, I have an oboe you can borrow for your lesson. Unfortunately,
I cannot let you take it home to practice with, but we can still have a lesson
that week if so desired.
When in doubt, do not try to make adjustments on your own instrument.
The oboe has an extremely intricate design that even small adjustments can
cause misalignments that make the oboe stop working! Please take it to a
repair professional (most likely not your band director) if you feel there is
something wrong.
See my Care and Keeping of your Oboe/EH document for best practices for
daily, weekly, and monthly instrument care in order to keep your instrument in
the best shape possible.
Lauren N. Kowal - Updated 1/2024
Purchasing an Instrument
I do not require that you own your own instrument. Purchasing an instrument
should be a well-thought out decision based on your interest in a long-term
relationship with the oboe and your family’s financial situation. Oboes can be
expensive, and the process to find the right one can be long, tiring, and
expensive as well.
If you are interested in purchasing an instrument, I am happy to recommend
oboe suppliers based on your budget, needs, and level of instrument you are
looking to purchase.
Method Books, Etudes, and Sheet Music
Aside from the lessons and practice journal, I will include some technical
exercises in your lesson binder. When I am able, I am happy to copy music
and exercises that I own, but this is not always possible, and I may ask you to
purchase sheet music, method books, and etude books. I do my best not to
jump from book to book so that you don’t have to purchase many books all at
once. If I should recommend that you purchase something new, I am happy
to send you a digital scan of the exercise I assigned until you are able to
purchase the book and begin using more exercises out of it.
Required Books
After your first lesson, I will send you home with a list of book(s) and
material(s) you will need to purchase for your next lesson. It is expected that
you will have and bring those books to your next lesson. If there is a delay in
receiving the books because of shipping delays, back order issues, or they are
out of stock, please let me know ASAP and I will send digital copies of what
you needed to practice for their next lesson.
Lauren N. Kowal - Updated 1/2024
Recommended Books
There are many good resources that could benefit your study in the present
and future. I will never require these books, and I am happy to scan parts of
texts or method books I recommend if a student is interested or if they need
the resource, but aren’t able to purchase the book.
Sheet Music
I will only require students to purchase sheet music if it is a piece of music I do
not have, if it is required for OMEA Solo and Ensemble, or if the piece does not
have a decent copy on IMSLP.
IMSLP is a website that houses copies of sheet music that is in the public
domain. These copies are uploaded by users all over the world, and may not
be updated, easy-to-read, or accurate. While a great resource for free sheet
music, it might not always be the best source.
I have acquired a large digital collection of music that I am happy to share
with you, but I am not able to print everything for you. I am happy to share
what you need if you need assistance, but if I require sheet music to be
purchased, it is because it is an OMEA requirement or because it is a good
investment for your future lessons and/or music education. Many times,
students return to music with other teachers and learn new things, or there is
a large collection of music housed in one book that they could use in the
future.
Lauren N. Kowal - Updated 1/2024