Oboe Lessons in Pennsylvania

What oboe lessons cost across Pennsylvania, and how to find the right teacher.

Marc Levesque updated 11/13/26 - 18 min read

Oboe lesson prices across Pennsylvania
Meet teachers
How oboe learning works in Pennsylvania
Auditions and events in Pennsylvania
Starting at any age
Finding the right teacher
Oboe in Pennsylvania
Area by area
Frequently Asked Questions

Oboe lesson prices across Pennsylvania

A one-hour oboe lesson in Pennsylvania typically costs $59 to $92, and a half hour $32 to $50. Prices change noticeably from town to town. The Philadelphia area runs highest, up to $111 an hour.

Every town has two guides: an oboe lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.

Find your town

Town	30 minutes	One hour	Guides
Philadelphia area
Philadelphia	$37–$61	$70–$111	Lessons Costs
Levittown	$36–$59	$67–$107	Lessons Costs
Norristown	$37–$60	$69–$110	Lessons Costs
Chester	$36–$59	$68–$108	Lessons Costs
Drexel Hill	$37–$60	$69–$110	Lessons Costs
King of Prussia	$36–$58	$67–$106	Lessons Costs
Pottstown	$36–$59	$68–$108	Lessons Costs
West Chester	$36–$58	$66–$106	Lessons Costs
Phoenixville	$36–$59	$68–$108	Lessons Costs
Lansdale	$36–$59	$68–$108	Lessons Costs
Willow Grove	$36–$59	$68–$108	Lessons Costs
Ardmore	$37–$60	$69–$109	Lessons Costs
Montgomeryville	$36–$58	$66–$106	Lessons Costs
Coatesville	$35–$57	$65–$104	Lessons Costs
Yeadon	$37–$60	$68–$109	Lessons Costs
Lansdowne	$37–$60	$69–$110	Lessons Costs
Darby	$37–$61	$70–$111	Lessons Costs
Broomall	$36–$58	$67–$106	Lessons Costs
Roslyn	$37–$60	$69–$109	Lessons Costs
Pittsburgh area
Pittsburgh	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Bethel Park	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Monroeville	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Plum	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Allison Park	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
New Castle	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Baldwin	$32–$47	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Murrysville	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
West Mifflin	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
McKeesport	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Franklin Park	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Greensburg	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Wilkinsburg	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Carnot-Moon	$32–$46	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Washington	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Butler	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Jefferson Hills	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
New Kensington	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Lower Burrell	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
Munhall	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Allentown area
Allentown	$35–$57	$66–$105	Lessons Costs
Bethlehem	$34–$56	$64–$102	Lessons Costs
Easton	$35–$57	$65–$104	Lessons Costs
Fullerton	$35–$56	$65–$103	Lessons Costs
Emmaus	$35–$56	$65–$103	Lessons Costs
Northampton	$34–$56	$64–$103	Lessons Costs
Harrisburg area
Harrisburg	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Carlisle	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Colonial Park	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Hershey	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Progress	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Scranton area
Scranton	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Wilkes-Barre	$32–$47	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Hazleton	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Dunmore	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Kingston	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Mountain Top	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Nanticoke	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Lancaster area
Lancaster	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Ephrata	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Elizabethtown	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Reading area
Reading	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Wyomissing	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
York area
York	$33–$52	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Hanover	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Weigelstown	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Shiloh	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Chambersburg area
Chambersburg	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Waynesboro	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Hermitage area
Hermitage	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Sharon	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Other Pennsylvania towns
Altoona	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Bloomsburg	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Erie	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Indiana	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Johnstown	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Lebanon	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Meadville	$32–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Pottsville	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
St. Marys	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
State College	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Williamsport	$32–$47	$59–$87	Lessons Costs

Meet an Oboe Teacher in Pennsylvania Before Weekly Lessons

The free first lesson is a low-pressure way to meet the teacher, try live online oboe instruction, ask about reeds or setup, and decide whether weekly lessons feel right for you or your child in Pennsylvania.

One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
Live feedback on reeds, tone, pitch, and breathing
Support school ensemble, audition, and recital goals
Claim a free first 30-minute lesson

60+ Instructors

70,000+ Lessons taught

4.9/5 Average lesson rating

Find Your Next Oboe Instructor in Pennsylvania

Browse oboe teachers, compare fit and availability, and start with a free trial before choosing weekly lessons in Pennsylvania.

Instrument

Day & Time

Student Age

Student Skill Level

2 oboe instructors available in the next 5 days

Lauren Vilendrer

Master’s in OboeWarm & EncouragingPerformance ExpertGreat with All Ages

Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults

✅ Background Checked💬 Speaks: English🏆 Experience: 8 yrs of teaching💻 Lesson Format: Online in Pennsylvania via Zoom

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

$0 ~~$35~~ / 30 minute trial

Book Free Trial with Lauren

Gennavieve Wrobel

Top Rated 5.0

Doctorate in OboeGreat with All AgesInspires PracticePopular

Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults

✅ Background Checked💬 Speaks: English🏆 Experience: 7 yrs of teaching💻 Lesson Format: Online in Pennsylvania via Zoom

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

$0 ~~$35~~ / 30 minute trial

Book Free Trial with Gennavieve

How oboe learning works in Pennsylvania

How does oboe fit school music in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania schools place oboe within band and orchestra, but the grade a student can begin depends on the district. The School District of Philadelphia offers band lessons at Vare-Washington Elementary in fourth grade and provides district-owned instruments there; Reading School District includes sixth graders in middle school band, while Pittsburgh Public Schools has its own school calendar and programs. State standards set arts skills at the ends of grades 3, 5, 8, and 12, but each school board sets graduation requirements, so school participation and credit differ by district.

When school music starts in Pennsylvania districts

The School District of PhiladelphiaBand4th grade

Reading School DistrictMiddle school band6th grade

Bethel Park School DistrictBand4th grade

Upper Darby School DistrictBand4th grade

Easton Area School DistrictBand4th grade

Williamsport Area School DistrictBand4th grade

Plum Borough School DistrictBand4th grade

West Chester Area School DistrictElementary band4th grade

Who runs what for Pennsylvania oboists?

Pennsylvania has two distinct routes for an oboist: Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) organizes school-based district, region, and state honors, while Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (PMTA) offers individual performance opportunities through its student festivals. PMEA’s route depends on school ensemble participation and advancement; PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival begins with local preliminary auditions and can lead to a state showcase. Knowing which route fits your student matters because school honors rely on an ensemble director, while the PMTA route requires study with a PMTA member.

Who runs what in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA)

Runs: Runs district, region, and state school ensemble festivals and honors.
For: School ensemble students advancing through auditions.

Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (PMTA)

Runs: Runs Dorothy Sutton and Keystone Concerto student performance festivals.
For: Students entered by eligible member teachers.

Auditions and events in Pennsylvania

How does an oboist reach Pennsylvania's top student honors?

For school honors, an oboist first joins a school band or orchestra and enters the PMEA district festival; students selected there advance to region, then to All-State auditions or selection. Oboe is not a separate instrument on the All-State at-large list, but a district first-chair oboe player can apply for the All-State English horn audition, with the 2027 submission window closing February 11. A separate statewide route is PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival: a Pennsylvania resident studying with a PMTA member enters local preliminaries, and a Superior rating plus at least 85 percent on the theory test qualifies the student for a state showcase. PMTA’s Keystone Concerto Festival is another state-level option for a memorized concerto movement.

The oboe route in Pennsylvania, step by step

DistrictJoin a school band or orchestra and enter its district festival; selected players advance to region.
RegionDistrict selections compete at region festivals, with advancing students moving toward All-State.
All-State English hornThe submission window for eligible players runs February 6–11, 2027, closing at noon on February 11.
Dorothy SuttonPennsylvania residents studying with PMTA members enter local preliminaries; qualifying students perform in a state showcase each November.

The Pennsylvania oboe year

AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul

Pennsylvania State MTNA Performance CompetitionsPennsylvania Music Teachers AssociationStart the piece May to Aug

Start the piece May to AugNov 8

PMEA District 7 Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz, and Modern Band FestivalsPMEA District 7Start the piece Jul to Oct

Start the piece Jul to OctJan to Apr

PMEA Region V Band FestivalPennsylvania Music Educators AssociationStart the piece Aug to Nov

Start the piece Aug to NovFeb 18–20

PMEA Solo & Small Ensemble Music Performance AssessmentPennsylvania Music Educators AssociationStart the piece Sep to Dec

Start the piece Sep to DecMar to May

Hershey Symphony Young Artist CompetitionHershey Symphony OrchestraStart the piece Sep to Dec

Start the piece Sep to DecMar 16

PMEA All-State EnsemblesPennsylvania Music Educators AssociationStart the piece Oct to Jan

Start the piece Oct to JanApr 14–17

Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

For the school honors route, district first-chair oboe or English horn players prepare for the All-State English horn audition; eligibility and the February 2027 submission window matter as much as the student’s readiness. PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton route asks for a local preliminary audition and a theory test, with a Superior rating and at least 85 percent on theory needed for a state showcase. Keystone Concerto Festival entrants prepare one memorized movement of a standard or youth concerto, with no theory requirement. A weekly teacher can shape an event piece over three to six months, coordinating focused practice with the student’s school ensemble work.

What else is there to enter?

PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival gives an oboist a non-school route from local preliminary auditions to a state showcase, with its state event held each November at Elizabethtown College. Students who want a concerto setting can also enter the Keystone Concerto Festival, which accepts a memorized movement and does not require a theory test. The Hershey Symphony Young Artist Competition suits grades 8–11 in specified south-central Pennsylvania counties, while the PMEA Solo & Small Ensemble assessment offers sponsored K–12 students a district performance opportunity.

Oboe events in Pennsylvania, 2026–27

PMEA All-State Ensembles

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association

When: April 14–17, 2027; audition windows run November 2026–February 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Primarily grades 10–12; selection and eligibility depend on ensemble

PMEA Solo & Small Ensemble Music Performance Assessment

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association

When: Usually March–May 2027; event dates vary by district
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: K–12 students, sponsored by a participating music teacher

PMEA District 7 Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz, and Modern Band Festivals

PMEA District 7

When: January–April 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: School music students; eligibility and grades vary by festival

PMEA Region V Band Festival

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association

When: February 18–20, 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: High school students who advance from district auditions

Hershey Symphony Young Artist Competition

Hershey Symphony Orchestra

When: Final audition March 16, 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Grades 8–11 during the 2026–27 school year

Pennsylvania State MTNA Performance Competitions

Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association

When: Usually early November each year
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Junior, senior, and young artist divisions; junior division is for school-age students

Starting at any age

Starting a child on oboe

A child who can manage the instrument’s reed and breath demands can begin oboe before joining a school band, often around fourth grade when many Pennsylvania districts begin band. Early individual lessons help a new player learn steady air, embouchure, and careful reed handling before school rehearsals add ensemble parts. That head start is useful because oboe is a less common band instrument and the school may not offer the same one-to-one attention as a weekly lesson. We can build the basics at a pace suited to your child.

A teen in Pennsylvania

A teen can start oboe without having begun in elementary school, though school ensemble experience becomes important for Pennsylvania’s PMEA district, region, and state route. That route advances through school festivals, so the first conversation should be with the school’s band or orchestra director about joining an ensemble and qualifying for auditions. Weekly lessons can build reading, tone, and confidence alongside rehearsals, while a dedicated teacher helps the student set a manageable practice plan around school commitments.

Starting or coming back as an adult

Adults in Pennsylvania have welcoming ways to play oboe with others. The Philadelphia Community Orchestra in Philadelphia has no auditions and welcomes musicians and sound makers of all kinds, while experienced adult players can look toward the Tri-County New Horizons Band. It is not too late to begin or return; an oboe teacher can meet you at your current reading and playing level, then build tone, breath control, and ensemble readiness one weekly step at a time. Live online lessons make that steady work possible without a commute.

Finding the right teacher

What should a good oboe teacher do?

A good oboe teacher listens closely to tone and breath, and also helps a student develop control of the reed and confidence reading an ensemble part. That matters in Pennsylvania because school honors depend on steady ensemble participation, while the PMTA festivals give a solo player another goal. A younger beginner may need short, clear steps; a teen preparing for auditions needs a teacher who can organize focused work; an adult returning to oboe deserves a pace that respects prior experience. Every Lesson With You teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in oboe, and you can choose a teacher or ask us to recommend one.

How do live online oboe lessons work?

A live Zoom oboe lesson lets the teacher hear tone, breath, articulation, and reed response in real time, while seeing posture, hand position, and the music in front of you. Set the camera so the face, hands, and instrument are visible, with the oboe and music stand ready; the teacher can then demonstrate and respond as you play. In Philadelphia and Franklin Park, you get the same choice of teacher and the same weekly one-on-one lesson, without a commute or a limit to whoever is closest. The first 30-minute lesson is free, with no payment method needed, so you can meet the teacher before deciding on weekly lessons.

What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You

A teacher with a degree in oboeEvery Lesson With You oboe teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in oboe.

GennavieveDoctorate in Oboe

LaurenMaster’s in Oboe

Meet the teachers below

The same teacher every weekLive, one-on-one lessons with one teacher who knows your goals.

Practice goals every weekEach lesson ends with what to practice before the next one.

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Oboe in Pennsylvania

Beyond Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, young listeners have useful orchestral options in State College and Allentown. The Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra in State College offers student tickets at Penn State Recital Hall, and its March 20, 2027 family concert is free. In Allentown, Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra gives free admission to students 21 and under during its 2026–27 season, so a family can hear orchestral playing without making a large outing of it.

Oboe around Pennsylvania, area by area

Philadelphia area

In Philadelphia, Curtis Symphony Orchestra concerts give K–12 and university students a reserved $9 ticket option during the 2026–27 season. Curtis also offers free student recitals open to all patrons, so a young oboist can hear live playing without needing a ticket. These are useful ways to connect individual practice with orchestral sound and phrasing.

School year: Aug 24 to Jun 9, 40 lesson weeks (The School District of Philadelphia)
Town guides: Philadelphia, Wilmington, Camden, Levittown, Sicklerville, Norristown, Chester, Drexel Hill

Pittsburgh area

Pittsburgh has a strong listening option in the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra: eligible students can use PSO Go for up to two $15 tickets per concert. A free concert in Wexford on July 2, 2027, is another family outing. Hearing live orchestral music helps an oboe student connect tone and phrasing to the sound of a full ensemble.

School year: Aug 24 to Jun 8, 40 lesson weeks (Pittsburgh Public Schools)
Town guides: Pittsburgh, Bethel Park, Monroeville, Plum, Allison Park, New Castle, Baldwin, Murrysville

Allentown area

In Allentown, the 2027 Allentown Symphony Orchestra family concert is open to the public, with free tickets for everyone under 21 through the box office. The city’s Summer Concert Series at West Park runs weekly from May through September, giving families an open-air listening option. Both settings let a student hear wind lines within a larger ensemble.

School year: Aug 24 to Jun 10, 40 lesson weeks (Allentown School District)
Town guides: Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Fullerton, Phillipsburg, Emmaus, Northampton

Harrisburg area

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra concerts offer two ways for students to listen: high school and college students with valid ID can buy last-minute Masterworks tickets for $10, and the orchestra also presents a free summer concert series. The Masterworks option offers a formal symphonic program, while the summer series makes a concert outing simple for the whole family.

School year: Aug 26 to Jun 4, 40 lesson weeks (Harrisburg City School District)
Town guides: Harrisburg, Carlisle, Colonial Park, Hershey, Progress

Scranton area

In Wilkes-Barre, Sunsets on SOMA presents free concerts on the third Wednesday of each month from May through September in Midtown Village. Scranton offers a different listening experience through a free public general recital by University of Scranton Performance Music student musicians. Both settings let a developing oboist hear live music in a less formal setting than a symphony program.

Town guides: Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Dunmore, Kingston, Mountain Top, Nanticoke

Lancaster area

Lancaster’s Long’s Park Summer Music Series presents free public concerts every Sunday in summer, with no ticket needed. It gives an oboe student a chance to listen for wind colors and ensemble balance outside a formal orchestra hall. Families can make a concert visit part of the season without planning around admission.

Town guides: Lancaster, Ephrata, Elizabethtown

Reading area

In Reading, a student can attend a Reading Symphony Orchestra Classics Series concert for free when a parent or guardian buys a full-price ticket. The Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra also gives young players an ensemble route, and its audition process includes a $20 fee. Hearing an orchestra can help a student connect the sound of an oboe part to ensemble playing.

School year: Aug 24 to Jun 3, 39 lesson weeks (Reading School District)
Town guides: Reading, Wyomissing

York area

York offers two ways to connect with music. York Youth Symphony provides a youth ensemble route, with tuition assistance available for the 2025–26 season, while Springettsbury Township’s Sounds of Summer presents free concerts on Sunday and Wednesday evenings from June through August. A student can build ensemble experience and hear music with family in a relaxed public setting.

Town guides: York, Hanover, Weigelstown, Shiloh

Start Oboe Lessons With a Free Trial

One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
Live feedback on reeds, tone, pitch, and breathing
Support school ensemble, audition, and recital goals
Claim a free first 30-minute lesson

60+ Instructors

70,000+ Lessons taught

4.9/5 Average lesson rating

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a good oboe teacher in Pennsylvania?

Choose a teacher who can address oboe tone, breath, reed response, and the ensemble skills your goals require. Lesson With You offers live weekly one-on-one Zoom lessons with teachers who hold at least a bachelor's degree in oboe; you can select a teacher or ask us to recommend one, then use the free first 30-minute lesson to see if the fit feels right.

Do live video oboe lessons really work?

Yes, a live video lesson lets a teacher hear your tone, articulation, and breath in real time while watching your hands, posture, and music. With a camera showing your face and instrument, you can get immediate feedback at home without a commute and choose a teacher who fits rather than whoever is closest.

When do Pennsylvania schools start teaching oboe?

Many Pennsylvania districts begin band in fourth grade, though the start varies; Reading School District includes sixth graders in middle school band. In Philadelphia, Vare-Washington Elementary offers band lessons in fourth grade and provides district-owned instruments, so check the school district's band start for your child.

How does an oboist reach Pennsylvania's top student honors?

The school route runs from a district PMEA band or orchestra festival to region and then All-State auditions or selection. Oboe is not a separate All-State at-large instrument, but a district first-chair oboe player can apply for the All-State English horn audition; PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival is a separate statewide route through local preliminaries.

Can homeschool students enter Pennsylvania music contests?

Yes, homeschool students can qualify for PMEA District 7 festivals if they participate in their own school ensemble or a community-based equivalent and have a sponsoring PMEA-member director. A Pennsylvania resident studying with a PMTA member can also enter the Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival through local preliminaries.

What age should a child start oboe lessons?

A child can begin when they can manage the oboe’s reed and breath demands, often around the fourth-grade age when many Pennsylvania districts start band. Private lessons can establish tone, air control, and reed care before school ensemble demands begin.

Is it too late to learn oboe as an adult in Pennsylvania?

No, adults can start or return to oboe at any age, and a teacher can adapt lessons to your experience and goals. The Philadelphia Community Orchestra welcomes musicians without auditions, and adults can also explore the Tri-County New Horizons Band.

How much are oboe lessons in Pennsylvania?

Oboe lessons in Pennsylvania typically cost about $69 an hour, or $32 to $50 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.

Oboe lesson prices across Pennsylvania

Meet an Oboe Teacher in Pennsylvania Before Weekly Lessons

Find Your Next Oboe Instructor in Pennsylvania

Lauren Vilendrer

Gennavieve Wrobel

How oboe learning works in Pennsylvania

How does oboe fit school music in Pennsylvania?

Who runs what for Pennsylvania oboists?

Auditions and events in Pennsylvania

How does an oboist reach Pennsylvania's top student honors?

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

What else is there to enter?

Starting at any age

Starting a child on oboe

A teen in Pennsylvania

Starting or coming back as an adult

Finding the right teacher

What should a good oboe teacher do?

How do live online oboe lessons work?

Oboe in Pennsylvania

Oboe around Pennsylvania, area by area

Philadelphia area

Pittsburgh area

Allentown area

Harrisburg area

Scranton area

Lancaster area

Reading area

York area

Start Oboe Lessons With a Free Trial

More for Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions