On Sunday, April 5, faculty members Nancy Warfield, oboe, and Jeff Keesecker, bassoon hosted Double Reed Day in the music building of the University of South Florida campus. Double Reed Day gives middle, junior high, and high school students a chance to become acquainted with the Music Department and its teachers, as well as providing a learning opportunity to those students. Students came from as far away as Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale for a day's worth of activities, including clinics, a pizza party and a double reed concert.
Guest clinicians and speakers were Richard Summers, former oboist of the Boston Symphony; Robert Mayer, former English hornist of the Chicago Symphony; Dana Garcia, a USF graduate who is currently band director at Greco junior High; and Kevin Fuller, a USF graduate who is now on the staff of the Florida Orchestra. Lora Haakman, a Northwestern
University graduate, assisted with the oboe reedmaking class. Ms. Garcia coached and conducted the junior high and beginning oboists. Mr. Fuller gave a contrabassoon demonstration and conducted the advanced double reed ensemble.
The day ended with a big double reed concert with welcoming remarks by John Smith, Dean of the College of Fine Arts. Selections included a student performance of the Beethoven oboe trio, the Saint-Saens sonata performed by Ms. Warfield, and bassoon trios featuring members of the Florida Orchestra. Two double reed band performances by beginning and advanced students brought the concert to a smashing close. Students left for home remarking on how much they learned, how much fun they had, and how they would return for Double Reed Day 1988!