Episode 4 - Karen Birch Blundell

I am joined by my good friend and outstanding oboist Karen Birch Blundell. Karen provides a wealth of information about the oboe including some practical advice about reeds and oboe tips for composers. Topics: Karen's early choice to play oboe Starting kids on the oboe right away Finding and making reeds The importance of good equipment Learning how to practice Taking relaxed breaths Tips for composers Building rests into oboe music High school band! The New Sousa Band Links: The International Double Reed Society Oboe Motions by Stephen Caplan Making Reeds Start to Finish by Nancy Ambrose King Keith Brion and the New Sousa Band The Eastern Music Festival Karen's Website Biography: Karen Birch Blundell lives in New York City and is a member of both the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic (English horn) and the Eastern Festival Orchestra (English horn/Associate Principal Oboe). She also performs regularly with the Allentown Symphony and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Hartford Symphony, C4- the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective, the Harrisburg Symphony, and the American Symphony Orchestra.​