Francine Schutzman

Oboe

Francine Schutzman began her musical studies in her hometown of Sea Cliff, New York, with piano lessons at the age of seven and flute three years later. She reluctantly traded in her flute for an oboe the following year because an oboist was needed in the school band. By the time she had received her Bachelor’s degree from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music (studying with De Vere Moore and Wayne Rapier), she was in love with the instrument. Robert Bloom and Alfred Genovese were her teachers at the Manhattan School of Music, where she earned a Master’s degree.

After graduating from Manhattan, Ms. Schutzman played for one season in the Savannah Symphony and for two years in the Oklahoma City Symphony. Before moving to Canada, she taught oboe, piano, theory and music history at Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. She joined the National Arts Centre Orchestra as second oboist and English horn player in 1974.  She is on the boards of the Musicians’ Association of Ottawa-Hull and the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians, with which she has been involved since 1981. Francine Schutzman has also been a member of the Ayorama Wind Quintet since 1974.