Oboe Day

The Oboe Day promotes the learning and enjoyment of the oboe with participation of students, teachers and other renowned oboists. Through master classes, reed-making instruction, chamber music concerts, and much more, participants learn and experience first-hand the fundamental activities of a successful oboist career.

HOPE’s first Oboe Day was held in Honduras on August 6, 2022 and it aimed to reach oboe students, professionals, and teachers throughout the country. The event included oboe master classes, reed master classes, and rehearsals with chamber music training. There was also a raffle for two complete reed-making tool kits, sponsored by Danilo’s Fine Leather.

The Oboe Day ended with a chamber music recital, and a closing Gala recital. The chamber music recital featured students and teachers performing duets, trios and quartets for oboe and English horn. The closing recital featured guest oboists Eder Rivera, Francisco Rodríguez, and Eurídice Álvarez. In addition, we had a collaboration by pianists Hector David Aguilar and Alex Bracamonte.

A Full Day Enjoying The Oboe!

Learn how the first day of the Oboe in Honduras took place:

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Registration

9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.

Welcome

The welcome speech was given by HOPE director, Francisco Rodríguez; the president, Euridice Alvarez; and the secretary, Eder Rivera.

9:10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Chamber music rehearsal

The chamber music classes included the rehearsal of pieces for two oboes and English horn, and ensembles of four oboes. Students learned how to prepare, and worked on pitch, rhythm, phrasing, and dynamics. We also coached with oboe teachers Leonel López, Roberto Varela, and Euridice Alvarez.

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 am

Reed-making master class

One of the most daunting aspects of being an oboist is the reed-making process. We dedicated plenty of time with expert oboists on this subject during the Oboe Day, to encourage students to master the skill. The students received instructions on how to start and make reeds in the two styles used in Honduras: European and American scraping. The students received material to tie and scrape canes, as well oboe staples.

Formado de la palita de caña (o lengüeta)

Proceso de raspado de cañas y participantes haciendo cañas

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Lunch (sponsored)

Thanks to the sponsorship of Costas Burger, the Oboe Day participants enjoyed a delicious lunch. This was an occasion for participants to socialize and enjoy themselves.

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Oboe master classes

It is very important for an oboist to receive master classes with expert teachers. On Oboe Day, we had two master classes with professors Eder Rivera and Euridice Alvarez. The students played sonatas, concertos, orchestra excerpts, and oboe studies. The teachers focused on giving advice and important reminders about this repertoire.

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Raffle of reed-making kits

We had the opportunity to raffle two complete reed-making tool kits. These were manufactured and sponsored in Honduras by Danilo’s Fine Leather brand. The kits included a knife, mandrel, block, plate, ruler and pencil.
The winners were Jean Carlos Madrid and Dayana Majano.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Chamber music recital

In the chamber music recital, students and teachers performed pieces by composers L. V. Beethoven, Frederic Weatherly, and John Kander. The participants were artists Leonel López and Roberto Varela, and oboists Nuzzly Reyes, Katherine Mejía, Helmut García, Fiorella Rivas, Danis Castillo, Israel Flores, Annie García and Dayana Majano.

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Oboe Gala Recital

In the oboe recital, professors Eder Rivera, Francisco Rodríguez, and Euridice Alvarez performed works by composers Robert Schumann, Jorge A. Bravo, A. Marcello, J. S. Bach,Carlo Yvon, Astor Piazzolla, and J. W. Kalliwoda. They were accompanied by guest pianists Héctor David Aguilar and Alexander Bracamonte. There was also an exchange of recognitions between the UCENM and HOPE societies.

5:00 p.m.

Reception

After the gala recital, the guests and participants of the Oboe Day enjoyed an elegant reception sponsored by UCENM.

First Oboe Day

Guest Artist Biographies

Héctor David Aguilar

Nació en la ciudad de San Pedro Sula, es egresado y graduado con múltiples honores de la Escuela de música “Victoriano López”. Habiendo continuado sus estudios superiores en Estados Unidos retorna a Honduras donde se convierte en el primer violín de la Primera Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Honduras. En 1995 graba su primera propuesta musical de Violín contemporáneo llamada GRATITUD y siguieron a esta producción 4 álbumes más hasta el día de hoy. Su música pretende romper las barreras que han alejado al violín del ambiente popular y presenta melodías en su mayoría compuestas por él mismo, con un espíritu alegre, dinámico y con la inspiración Divina que le ha llevado a presentar su música en países como: EEUU, Canadá, México, Centroamérica, Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, República Dominicana, Puerto Rico, Francia, España, Suiza, Italia, Alemania, Inglaterra, Escocia, Singapur e Israel. Actualmente viaja nacional e internacionalmente presentando sus materiales musicales y trabaja como productor y arreglista de su propia compañía llamada: HD STRINGS BOX ubicada en San Pedro Sula, Honduras (su actual residencia).

Alexander Dávila Bracamonte

Comenzó sus estudios musicales a la edad de 8 años en la escuela de música Tomás B. Narváez en su ciudad natal Choluteca. Su primer instrumento fué el trombón. Luego se trasladó a la ciudad de Tegucigalpa y egresó como docente de la Escuela Nacional de Música. Luego estudió guitarra clásica con diferentes reconocidos maestros hondureños. Ha estudiado Dirección Orquestal, Orquestación y Análisis en la Academia Wagner de Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México con el maestro Percival Álvarez quien a su vez estudió como pupilo del célebre director Celibidache. También estudió Dirección Orquestal en la Academia Latinoamericana de Dirección Orquestal. Actualmente se desempeña como músico en la Orquesta de la Fuerza Naval de Honduras. Ha ganado concursos de composición, y tocado a lo largo y ancho del continente. Como músico de jazz, actualmente está grabando su primer disco.