Canadian oboist Joseph Salvalaggio began playing the oboe at the age of fifteen years old and within a year began training at the Interlochen Arts Academy. Studies followed at Michigan State University, McGill University in Montreal, the University of Toronto, and Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music. His teachers have included Dan Stolper, Theodore Baskin, Normand Forget, Richard Dorsey and Richard Killmer.
His rather circuitous educational route has taught him to never settle for anything less than the constant pursuit of one’s own unique voice on the instrument, a core concept he now imparts upon students with joy and enthusiasm.
He has appeared with many of Canada’s finest ensembles, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Canadian Opera Company and National Ballet, and Montreal’s Nouvel Ensemble Moderne. In addition, Mr. Salvalaggio is an active supporter of new music and his playing has inspired works written for him by Lothar Klein and Beverly Lewis, as well as concerti by Erik Ross, Elizabeth Raum and Prix Italia winner Christos Hatzsis.
As a soloist he is heard regularly in recital on CBC Radio and as an invited guest to the Conventions of the International Double Reed Society. His concerti appearances include world premieres with the Memphis Symphony and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. As a teacher and mentor, Joseph has held positions with the University of Windsor and the Sewanee Summer Music Festival and gives frequent masterclasses throughout North America.
He has held positions with the Thunder Bay and Windsor Symphonies and currently plays Principal Oboe with the Memphis Symphony and Oregon’s Britt Festival Orchestra.
Apprentice application:
Mozart, “Oboe Concerto,” exposition
Ravel, “Tombeau de Couperin,” mvt.1 Prelude beginning to figure 2 and figure 8 to 9
Rossini, “La Scala di Seta,” slow solo beginning and figure 2 to figure 3
Rimsky Korsakov, “Scheherazade,” mvt 2. figure A to figure B
Brahms, “Violin Concerto,” mvt 2. adagio beginning to measure 32
