{"id":207093,"date":"2024-12-02T12:21:49","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T22:21:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=207093"},"modified":"2024-12-02T12:23:05","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T22:23:05","slug":"double-reed-dreams-come-true","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2024\/12\/02\/double-reed-dreams-come-true\/","title":{"rendered":"Double-reed dreams come true for UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa musicians"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"5
UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa double-reed musicians from left, Emily Fujii, Michael Martin, Lecturer Marsha Schweitzer, Erin Matsushita and JP<\/abbr> Ovens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the first time in history, musicians represented the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at the International Double Reed Society<\/a> (IDRS<\/abbr>) Conference held in Flagstaff, Arizona. Last summer, the event was attended by world-class musicians and featured performances by a double reed quartet from UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"4
From left, Erin Matsushita (oboe), Emily Fujii (English horn), Michael Martin (contrabassoon) and JP<\/abbr> Ovens (bassoon).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The quartet—Erin Matsushita (oboe), Emily Fujii (English horn), JP<\/abbr> Ovens (bassoon) and Michael Martin (contrabassoon)—performed under the guidance of their coach, UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa music<\/a> lecturer Marsha Schweitzer. Their program featured an arrangement of Mozart\u2019s Piano Sonata No. 7 in C Major and “Aloha ʻOe<\/span>,” the beloved composition penned by Queen Liliʻuokalani<\/span>.<\/p>\n

“Being surrounded by so many bassoonists and oboists was truly unique,” said Fujii. “\u2026performing with the double reed quartet in Arizona, I felt really lucky.”<\/p>\n

Double-reed heaven<\/h2>\n

The IDRS<\/abbr> conference, a haven for double-reed musicians, offered workshops, lectures, and performances. Martin described the event as “incredible,” especially his chance to play in The Contra_Band, a 27-member contrabassoon ensemble. Meanwhile, Ovens was inspired by the variety of instruments and accessories.<\/p>\n

“There were so many instruments and accessories to try out\u2014I think I tried every bassoon on Earth within those few days,” Ovens explained.<\/p>\n

Despite the excitement, Flagstaff\u2019s high altitude posed unexpected challenges.<\/p>\n

“I think this was the biggest obstacle we faced in terms of playing. My lungs had difficulty accommodating the altitude, and the dry air did all sorts of weird things to our wooden reeds and instruments,” Matsushita said. “We got through it and I\u2019m very happy with what we accomplished!”<\/p>\n

Coach Marsha Schweitzer applauded their resilience and talent: “The group did a wonderful job. I\u2019m honored to have worked with these dedicated musicians.”<\/p>\n

For more and to listen to the quartet\u2019s performance go to the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa music department website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

—By Nicole Ikeda Cossi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa double reed quartet performed at a notable conference attended by world-class musicians.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[1471,133,660,9],"class_list":["post-207093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-college-of-arts-languages-and-letters","tag-music","tag-student-recognition","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t