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MY BACKGROUND

Ted Sugata joined the Pacific Symphony as Second Oboe in the 2014-2015 season. Previously, he was a member of the Sarasota Orchestra in Florida, and principal oboist with the Lyrique-en-Mer Opera Festival in Belle-Ile, France. As an active chamber and orchestral musician, he has performed with many organizations including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Mainly Mozart Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, South Bay Chamber Music Society, Jacaranda Music, and Glendale Noon concert series.  


A native of Los Angeles, he was the recipient of the ASCAP Leiber and Stoller music scholarship and semifinalist of the Los Angeles Music Center’s Spotlight Awards Competition. He continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music with Joseph Robinson and John Mack.  He has performed at the Tanglewood, National Repertory Orchestra, Music Academy of the West, and Sarasota music festivals. Dr. Sugata completed a doctorate of musical arts degree in oboe performance at USC in 2014 under Dr. Joel Timm.


In addition to teaching at Chapman University, he also serves on the faculties of Azusa Pacific University, Long Beach City College, the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts, and OC Music & Dance. Currently, his summers are spent at the Idyllwild Arts summer program where he teaches oboe and chamber music. His students have gone on to careers in music and accepted into the Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, Rice University, Indiana University, and USC. Recent student accomplishments include positions with the New York Philharmonic and Houston Grand Opera/Ballet.

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PERFORMANCES AND TEACHING

PACIFIC SYMPHONY

Member

From Classics, Pops, Ballet and Opera, the Pacific Symphony has many performances to choose from! Click below to access the concert calendar.

CALICO WINDS

Member

Calico Winds have delighted audiences across the country, touring to more than half the fifty states, including numerous cities throughout their home state of California. They are currently ensemble-in-residence at Glendale Noon Concerts.

CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY

Oboe Faculty

Chapman's personalized education gives each student a unique opportunity to become an original thinker who rises to the world’s challenges. Chapman’s campus is the perfect size—not too big, not too small—allowing for effective, innovative programs to be a focal point of our institution. The Hall-Musco Conservatory offers undergraduate degrees in Oboe Performance. Generous scholarships are available. Please click below for more information.

AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

Oboe Faculty

Azusa Pacific University is a comprehensive Christian university located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California, that offers more than 150 degree options from bachelor’s to doctorate. APU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in oboe performance. Generous scholarships are available. Please click on the link below for more information.

LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE

Oboe Faculty

The Music program at Long Beach City College is designed to provide students with the technique and repertoire for a successful audition into a university major program, and the coursework necessary to complete core academic courses required for a lower-division major program.

COLBURN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Middle school - Pre-college

Located in sunny Los Angeles, the Community School offers online and in-person music lessons. All experience levels welcome, from beginner to advanced. At the Community School, students join together to perform chamber music and as part of large ensembles.

IDYLLWILD ARTS SUMMER PROGRAM

Middle school - High school

The Idyllwild Arts Chamber Festival Intensive provides a unique opportunity to develop and refine the skills needed to excel both as a chamber musician and in an orchestral setting. There will be 3 oboe openings. 

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RECOMMENDED OBOE PRODUCTS

This is the stuff that I use!!

INSTRUMENT

Loree
Howarth
Yamaha

I currently use the Loree Etoile. It is a freer blowing instrument, as compared to the more popular 'AK' or 'Regular' bore versions.  My other instrument is a Howarth XL. It has a resonant, deep tone with a great low register. I also highly recommend the Yamaha YOB-841(L). 

TUBE CANE

Le Roseau Chantant
Loree
Rigotti

I truly enjoy the consistency of the Le Roseau Chantant Tube Cane (10.5-11.0mm). I use both the soft and medium density. The Loree Tube Cane is also a good option. It tends to be medium to medium-hard in density. If you find yourself on a budget, Rigotti would be my recommendation. It is medium in density, and relatively easy to work with. In general, I purchase 10.5-11.0mm diameter. 

GOUGING MACHINES

Ferrillo Gouger
Ross Gouger
Innoledy Gouger
Kunibert Michel

The Ferrillo gouging machine is the best machine I've used so far. It is a double-radius gouge which produces reeds with great pitch stability, response, and a rich tone. The Ross gouging machine is also a wonderful option. It is easier to maintain than the Ferrillo, and produces reeds with good pitch stability and a ringing tone. The Innoledy 'John Mack' gouging machine is a workhorse! Although it's my backup gouger, it offers consistency and longevity that the Ferrillo and Ross do not have.  The Kunibert Michel gouging machine is wonderful on so many levels. This machine offers the highest level of quality and precision, and is also designed to be easily customizable. I have made promising reeds from cane gouged on a Michel. 

STAPLES

Chiarugi
Glotin

Currently, I am using the Chiarugi #5 (47mm) staples. The consistency is unmatched. This is Chiarugi's version of the old Glotin staples, which has a smaller oval opening, and a large bottom diameter. The Glotin staples from Harvard Double Reeds are also fantastic. The opening diameters are similar to the Chiarugi. In general, I prefer an opening that is oval, not circular. 

SHAPER TIPS

Mack +
Jeanne 'M'
Nagamatsu
RDG #1

Living in the unpredictable climate of southern california, I prefer to use a tip that is relatively parallel and medium in width.  This is why the Jeanne 'M' is my primary choice. It is the widest tip of the bunch and works great in combination with my Ferrillo gouger. This should be tied at 72-72.5mm. The Mack+ has been my longest serving shaper tip.  I love the parallel shape, and if shaped properly (making sure the top of the cane is aligned with the top of the ears), it produces a reed with great pitch stability and tone. This should be tied at 72mm. Another great parallel shaper comes from Japan. The Nagamatsu shaper tips are beautifully designed, especially the taper from the ears, which makes shaping a breeze! I used a #2, which i tied at 73-73.5mm. However, if you are looking for a medium tip that has more of a flare (not too parallel), I like to use the RDG #1. This is tied around 73mm. 

RECOMMENDED REED-MAKING SUPPLIES

For student reed-makers!

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