Double Reed Day

Double Reed Day: a day devoted to bassoons and oboes.

The University of New Hampshire’s Double Reed Day (UNH DR DAY) is a day-long event held each January for double-reed players of all ages and skill levels. Over 100 participants come each year sometimes braving snow storms, ice storms, power outages and floods both outside AND inside. More often than not, however, the sun does shine on this day. Janet Polk, UNH bassoon instructor and Margaret Herlehy, UNH oboe instructor organize this event with the able assistance of the music service fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi.

This year's Double Reed Day is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2010. Click here for guest artists. Check back later for more information and registration materials.

Click here for driving directions.

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Separate bassoon and oboe master classes are held in the morning. From noon to 2 p.m., participants may browse at the many vendors that have assembled, form small ensembles or stroll into Durham for lunch. At 2 p.m., the trio Sospiri (Margaret Herlehy, Janet Polk and Arlene Kies UNH piano professor) perform. At the conclusion of the recital, all participants in the day can play in bassoon band or oboe band.

According to Justin Miller, president of Miller Marketing and a long-time vendor at this event, UNH DR DAY is one of the largest and longest-running Bassoon Day/DR DAY in the United States.

UNH DR DAY began as Bassoon Day. In 1993, Alan Fox of Fox Products Corporation, suggested to Janet Polk she start a bassoon day at UNH. She decided to take on the challenge and asked Mr. Fox if he would be her first guest. So, in January 1994, the first annual Bassoon Day took place. In January 1999, the oboes joined in the fun and the event became known as Double Reed Day.