December 4, 2024

Meet classical oboe student Megan Strait (MM ’25)! She’s performing under the baton of Leonard Slatkin (HonDMA ’13), who returns to conduct two exciting works with the MSM Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, December 5 at 7:30 PM in Neidorff-Karpati Hall.

Megan is performing the English horn solo in Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11 in G Minor, Op. 103 (“The Year 1905”). 

The evening will also showcase a performance of  Joseph Schwantner’s New Morning for the World (“Daybreak of Freedom”), featuring MSM Vocal Arts faculty member Sidney Outlaw as the narrator.

Megan tells us about how she prepared for this concert, why you should come and see this performance, and gives advice to prospective woodwind students.

ABOUT MEGAN

Megan Strait is an oboist from Greenwood, Indiana. She did her undergraduate studies at Butler University where she double majored in Oboe Performance and Music Education. She is currently in the second year of her master’s degree in Classical Oboe Performance at Manhattan School of Music. At MSM, she studies with Robert Botti.

Tell us about the DEC 5 MSM Symphony Orchestra concert!

Megan: This is quite the exciting concert we are preparing for! In addition to working once again with Maestro Slatkin, we also have the opportunity to perform alongside MSM faculty member Sidney Outlaw on Joseph Schwantner’s “New Morning for the World”. This piece presents a stimulating challenge for the orchestra as Schwantner combines rhythmically complex orchestral lines with the narration of text by Martin Luther King Jr.

Closing out the program, the Shostakovich work showcases the range of the orchestra, from delicate solos and shimmering strings to powerful brass and percussive elements.

We have put in a lot of work on this cycle, and cannot wait to share it with our audience!

You have a featured solo in this performance. How did you prepare for this?

Megan: As soon as I knew that I would be playing the English horn solo in the Shostakovich I immediately jumped into score studying, listening to different recordings, and every oboist’s favorite thing—making reeds.

Once I felt I had really learned the solo I moved onto the most helpful portion of my study of the piece which was taking lessons with our amazing faculty! I was of course able to work with my primary professor, Rob Botti, and took a lesson with our new faculty member Ryan Roberts. Their insight into this piece was invaluable and is what has helped me feel most confident for our performance on Thursday.

Why should people come to see this concert?

Megan: One of my favorite parts about performing in the orchestra cycles at MSM is the opportunity we get to study with so many amazing conductors, one of them being the conductor of Thursday’s concert—Maestro Leonard Slatkin. If not to hear the phenomenal music and my talented peers, at least come to see him conduct!

What made MSM stand out to you when deciding to pursue a master’s degree?

Megan: First and foremost, I am amazed by the incredible woodwind faculty at MSM. They bring such a wealth of knowledge into their lessons, woodwind labs, chamber coaching, and masterclasses. Plus, getting the opportunity to see them perform at such a high level with the New York Philharmonic is an amazing learning opportunity.

Another thing that drew me to MSM was the immediate sense of community you feel the second you step foot on campus. I remember arriving for my sample lesson and being greeted by so many welcoming students, faculty, and staff.

What advice would you give to oboists who will be auditioning at MSM?

Megan: It sounds cliché, but I always say to be yourself in auditions! The faculty want to know how you play, how you learn, and what you are interested in because they truly want you to succeed! Also, when given a choice in repertoire selections, be sure to pick pieces that are inspiring to you. Your excitement about the piece will show through in your performance.