Chamberlain Music is a Department for Education approved supplier for the Musical Instruments, Equipment & Technology Framework
Howarth's S10 student oboe is one of our best selling oboes and is highly recommended throughout the educational system. Although more expensive than other student models it is an instrument which lasts incredibly well, is suitable for use up to the middle grades and holds its value well when it comes to upgrading it. If you are a beginner oboist, this truly is the model for you.
Its body is produced from high quality, seasoned Grenadilla (also known as African Blackwood). Onto this solid and resonant body, beautifully finished nickel silver keywork is mounted in the English thumb plate configuration. It has a left hand C/D trill key and a low C to B link.
There are a number of attributes that make this model particularly good for the young beginner. Firstly, the S10 has a completely closed hole system of keywork. This makes things an awful lot easier for smaller, untrained hands and does the smaller spacing between the tone holes. Secondly, for a solid wood model, the S10 is surprisingly light. A professional oboe generally weighs in the region of 0.72kg whereas this model weighs just 0.54kg. This may not sound like a lot, but it will make all the difference for a young player especially when the school orchestra beckons!
Howarth are the very definition of a specialist manufacturer. They have been continually in existence since 1948 although the name Howarth has been associated with woodwind manufacture since the 1870s. They are, today, considered to be one of the finest bespoke manufacturers of oboes, oboes d'amore and English horns and their instruments are all of extremely high quality. Their student models are justifiably well regarded and are popular throughout the education sector.
Thumplate oboes are widely used in the UK as starting instruments. They feature simplified keywork and a narrower bore to make them more accessible for younger players. Dual system oboes have more advanced keywork and generally a bigger bore, and are intended for players of a higher standard doing solo or orchestral work. Conservatoire system oboes are mainly found in Continental Europe and the US, and have a different fingering technique altogether which is also intended for more advanced players.
Chamberlain Music is an approved supplier for the DfE Musical Instruments, Equipment, & Technology Framework.
If you are a school and would like assistance or to discuss your requirements, please email me or call our sales department:
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