Event Date: February 14, 2026
Deadline to Register: February 1, 2026
The annual University of Nebraska-Lincoln Double Reed Day is Feb. 14, 2026 at the NEW Westbrook Music Building. The event is open to all students, teachers and professional oboists and bassoonists. For more information, please contact Dr. William McMullen: wmcmullen1@unl.edu
About Double Reed Day
Double Reed Day is an opportunity for oboists and bassoonists to come together to learn about and share their love of their instruments.
Activities include:
- 1 PM Recital featuring faculty and guest artists
- 2 PM High school masterclasses with guest artists and UNL faculty - be sure to indicate that you wish to perform on the application.
- 3:30 PM Reed making sessions for oboe and bassoon
- 4:30 PM Reading session with everyone and raffle prizes - we usually finish around 5 PM
William McMullen, oboe
William McMullen, professor of oboe at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, is principal oboe with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra and the oboist in the Moran Woodwind Quintet. His CD, “Duos for Flute and Oboe” was released in 2005 by Centaur Records and his CD “Twentieth-Century British Music for Oboe and Piano” with pianist Catherine Herbener was released in 2002 by Crystal Records with works by Bennett, Howells, Jacob, Berkeley and Rubbra. McMullen has appeared as a soloist with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra and the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra in performances of the Strauss, Mozart and Vaughan-Williams concertos. He has performed at IDRS conventions in Ohio, Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Utah, the Netherlands, Australia and Banff. His text “Solistic English Horn Literature” was published by Pendragon Press of NY, as a part of the Juilliard Performance Guides series. As a member of the Moran Woodwind Quintet he has toured extensively throughout the Midwest. The quintet has recorded four CD’s on Crystal Records; “Postcards From the Center” and three CD’s of the music of Theodor Blumer.
James Compton, bassoon
A native of Long Beach California, James discovered the bassoon in the seventh grade. He received a Bachelors of Music from the University of Southern California and also studied at The Juilliard School in New York City. Prior to joining the Omaha Symphony, James was the Principal Bassoonist for the Oklahoma Symphony. As Principal Bassoonist of the Omaha Symphony James has been a featured soloist on several occasions. Jim is currently on the faculties of University of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska-Omaha and is also a founding member of the group Bassoons across Nebraska.
Catherine Herbener, piano
Catherine Herbener appears as a collaborative pianist in recitals throughout the United States. As a member of the Bachman Trio, she has participated in the touring program of the Nebraska Arts Council, received three grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and participated in a cultural exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan. Ms. Herbener often performs and premieres new works of music. She frequently concertizes with oboist William McMullen. They have been heard in numerous recitals, master classes and conferences. In 2002, their recording of 20th Century British Music for Oboe and Piano was released by Crystal Records. Ms. Herbener has also recorded on the Vienna Modern Masters label, Albany Records and her performances are heard regularly on Nebraska Public Radio. Ms. Herbener operates a piano studio in Lincoln, Nebraska and is on the faculty of Concordia University (Nebraska).
Questions? Contact Dr. William McMullen, 211 NEW Westbrook Music Building, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0100 wmcmullen1@unl.edu