Project Director: J Scott Janusch
In 2017 Hawaii Symphony principal oboist J. Scott Janusch asked LMA to become fiscal sponsor for an exciting new project. As his gift to the Hawaii community that has nurtured his professional musical career, Scott directed the creation of a new oboe made of native Hawaiian kauila wood, and also commissioned a new musical composition featuring the kauila oboe. The oboe was constructed by Howarth’s of London, and Jon Magnussen, noted Hawaii composer and professor of music at University of Hawaii West Oahu, composed the new work.
The new oboe was received in December 2018, and Magnussen’s new composition was performed in April and May 2019. Scott performed these first concerts introducing the kauila oboe, presented in chamber form by Chamber Music Hawaii and Live Music Awareness, and in symphonic form by the Hawaii Symphony. LMA retains ownership of the instrument, seeing to its ongoing care and maintenance, and controlling its use for concert and educational purposes.
In 2023 the kauila oboe found a permanent home at the University of Hawaii at Manoa Music Department, where it will be available for appropriate use by UH faculty, students, and other community artists at the University’s discretion. With UH as its caretaker, the kauila oboe’s unique voice will continue to be heard far into the future.
Here is a video of Scott introducing the completed Hawaiian kauila oboe. It looks and sounds gorgeous!
The Hawaiian Oboe Legacy Fund was established to provide for the ongoing care and maintenance of the one-of-a-kind kauila wood oboe produced by the Hawaiian Oboe Legacy Project. Your donations are most welcomed. To contribute to this exciting project, please visit the DONATE page and indicate your support for the Hawaiian Oboe Legacy Fund. Mahalo!