Period

:

Classical

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Richard Woodhams is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music through his exceptional skills as an oboist. Born on September 23, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Woodhams grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father was a professional violinist, and his mother was a pianist. As a result, Woodhams was exposed to music from a young age and developed a keen interest in it. Woodhams began his musical journey by learning to play the piano at the age of six. However, he soon realized that his true passion lay in playing the oboe. He started playing the oboe when he was 12 years old and quickly became proficient in it. He attended the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where he studied under the guidance of Robert Bloom, a renowned oboist. After completing his studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Woodhams went on to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. There, he studied under the tutelage of John de Lancie, the principal oboist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Woodhams graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in 1970 and joined the Philadelphia Orchestra as its principal oboist the same year. Woodhams' tenure with the Philadelphia Orchestra has been nothing short of remarkable. He has been a member of the orchestra for over 40 years and has played a crucial role in shaping its sound. Woodhams' exceptional skills as an oboist have earned him numerous accolades and awards over the years. One of the highlights of Woodhams' career was his performance of Richard Strauss' Oboe Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1973. The performance was widely acclaimed, and Woodhams' virtuosity on the oboe was praised by critics and audiences alike. He went on to perform the concerto with several other orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Woodhams has also been a champion of contemporary music and has premiered several works by contemporary composers. He has collaborated with several composers, including Jennifer Higdon, who wrote a concerto for him titled "Oboe Concerto." The concerto was premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2005 and was later recorded by Woodhams. In addition to his work with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Woodhams has also been a sought-after soloist and chamber musician. He has performed with several renowned ensembles, including the Tokyo String Quartet and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He has also been a faculty member at several prestigious music schools, including the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School. Woodhams' exceptional skills as an oboist have earned him numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1985, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which is awarded to outstanding instrumentalists who show exceptional promise for a significant career. He was also awarded the Philadelphia Orchestra's C. Hartman Kuhn Award in 1992, which is given to a member of the orchestra who has demonstrated excellence in musicianship and leadership. Woodhams' contributions to the world of music have been recognized by several institutions. In 2018, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Temple University, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of music. He was also awarded the Philadelphia Orchestra's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, in recognition of his 40 years of service to the orchestra.

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