Sara E Fraker
- Associate Professor, Music
- Member of the Graduate Faculty
Contact
- (520) 626-2811
- Music, Rm. 242
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- sarafraker@arizona.edu
Biography
Sara Fraker, Associate Professor of Oboe, is a member of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and principal oboist of True Concord Voices & Orchestra. She is oboist of the Arizona Wind Quintet, recipient of an Arizona Artist Development Grant, and a faculty artist at the Bay View Music Festival in northern Michigan. Sara has given recitals and masterclasses in Mexico, Canada, Japan, Australia, and throughout the US. She is an alum of the University of Illinois (DMA), New England Conservatory (MM), and Swarthmore College (BA). www.sarafraker.com
Degrees
- D.M.A. Oboe Performance
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champain, Urbana, Illinois
- The Oboe Works of Isang Yun
- M.M. Oboe Performance & Literature
- New England Conservatory, Boston, Massachusetts
- B.A. Music
- Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Work Experience
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2012 - Ongoing)
- Tucson Federation of Musicians (AFM Local 33) (2009 - 2012)
- Opening Minds through the Arts (TUSD) (2007 - 2011)
- True Concord Voices & Orchestra (2006 - Ongoing)
- Tucson Symphony Orchestra (2005 - Ongoing)
Awards
- GRAMMY Nomination
- The Recording Academy, Fall 2015 (Award Nominee)
Interests
No activities entered.
Courses
2024-25 Courses
-
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Fall 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 185 (Fall 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 482 (Fall 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 485 (Fall 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Fall 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Spring 2024) -
Master's Recital
MUS 915 (Spring 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Spring 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 382 (Spring 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 385 (Spring 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 485 (Spring 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Spring 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2024) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350B (Spring 2024) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Fall 2023) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Fall 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 181 (Fall 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 382 (Fall 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 385 (Fall 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 485 (Fall 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Fall 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2023) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350A (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Spring 2023) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Spring 2023) -
Master's Recital
MUS 915 (Spring 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Spring 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 285 (Spring 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 385 (Spring 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 482 (Spring 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Spring 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2023) -
Pedagogy
MUS 410B (Spring 2023) -
Pedagogy
MUS 510B (Spring 2023) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350B (Spring 2023) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Fall 2022) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Fall 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Fall 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Fall 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 285 (Fall 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 385 (Fall 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 482 (Fall 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Fall 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2022) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350A (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Spring 2022) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Spring 2022) -
Independent Study
MUS 499 (Spring 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Spring 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 285 (Spring 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 382 (Spring 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 482 (Spring 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 485 (Spring 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Spring 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2022) -
Senior Capstone:Recital
MUS 498 (Spring 2022) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350B (Spring 2022) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Fall 2021) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Fall 2021) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Fall 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 285 (Fall 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 382 (Fall 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 482 (Fall 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 485 (Fall 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Fall 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2021) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350A (Fall 2021)
2020-21 Courses
-
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Spring 2021) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Spring 2021) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2021) -
Master's Recital
MUS 915 (Spring 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Spring 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 185 (Spring 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Spring 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 385 (Spring 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 482 (Spring 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2021) -
Pedagogy
MUS 410B (Spring 2021) -
Pedagogy
MUS 510B (Spring 2021) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350B (Spring 2021) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Fall 2020) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Fall 2020) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Fall 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 185 (Fall 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Fall 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 385 (Fall 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 482 (Fall 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2020) -
Practicum
MUS 694 (Fall 2020) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350A (Fall 2020)
2019-20 Courses
-
Coached Ensemble
MUS 201 (Spring 2020) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Spring 2020) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Spring 2020) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 181 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 185 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 285 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 382 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 482 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 485 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 585 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2020) -
Practicum
MUS 694 (Spring 2020) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350B (Spring 2020) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 201 (Fall 2019) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Fall 2019) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Fall 2019) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 185 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 285 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 382 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 482 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 485 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 585 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2019) -
Practicum
MUS 694 (Fall 2019) -
Senior Capstone:Recital
MUS 498 (Fall 2019) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350A (Fall 2019)
2018-19 Courses
-
Master's Recital
MUS 915 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 185 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 382 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 385 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 485 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 585 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2019) -
Pedagogy
MUS 410B (Spring 2019) -
Pedagogy
MUS 510B (Spring 2019) -
Practicum
MUS 694 (Spring 2019) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350B (Spring 2019) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 501 (Fall 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 181 (Fall 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Fall 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 185 (Fall 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Fall 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 382 (Fall 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 385 (Fall 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 485 (Fall 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 585 (Fall 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2018) -
Practicum
MUS 694 (Fall 2018) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350A (Fall 2018)
2017-18 Courses
-
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Spring 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 185 (Spring 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Spring 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 385 (Spring 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2018) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350B (Spring 2018) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Fall 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 185 (Fall 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Fall 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 285 (Fall 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 385 (Fall 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2017) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350A (Fall 2017)
2016-17 Courses
-
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Spring 2017) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 182 (Spring 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 185 (Spring 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 282 (Spring 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 482 (Spring 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2017) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350B (Spring 2017) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 182A (Fall 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 185A (Fall 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 282A (Fall 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 482A (Fall 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 485A (Fall 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 685A (Fall 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 785A (Fall 2016) -
Senior Capstone:Recital
MUS 498 (Fall 2016) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350A (Fall 2016)
2015-16 Courses
-
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Spring 2016) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 182A (Spring 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 382A (Spring 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 385A (Spring 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 685A (Spring 2016) -
Oboe
MUSI 785A (Spring 2016) -
Woodwind Tech + Material
MUS 350B (Spring 2016)
Scholarly Contributions
Presentations
- Fraker, S. E. (2018, October). The Braiding Sweetgrass Project: One Model for Creating Meaningful Interdisciplinary Work through Engagement and Performance. College Music Society National Conference. Vancouver, BC.More infoLECTURE/PERFORMANCEAbstract:Institutions are placing increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary research as a way to confront the most complex social and technological problems of our time. This presentation describes the genesis and realization of a robust creative project drawing equally upon the disciplines of music, ecology, and Native American studies. The resulting 10-minute work, Braiding (for oboe, electronics, and natural sounds), is based on ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants (Milkweed Editions, 2013). Composed by Asha Srinivasan, the piece represents a major addition to the emerging body of artistic work concerned with ecology, sustainability, and climate change. Indeed, as the worldwide movement for sustainability gains urgency, many artists and scientists are staking new territory at the intersections of music, acoustic ecology, soundscape studies, and environmental science. In celebration of the world premiere, my collaborators – author and composer – were invited as visiting scholars to engage with various communities, both on-campus and beyond. Specifically, a unique relationship was forged with the Tohono O’odham Nation, which sponsored an ethnobotany exploration and performance of the piece. The project was funded through a collection of state, university, and departmental grants. Extensions of the project include multiple performances across the U.S. and a professional studio recording.Questions arising from this project include: How can artistic production inspire social change and greater community engagement? How can creative interdisciplinary projects be leveraged to increase appreciation and visibility for the arts? How can collaborations result in meaningful interactions among diverse constituencies?
Creative Productions
- Luce, B., Fraker, S. E., Olegario, M., Woods, R. A., & Ross, W. M. (2020. Concertino, Op. 65. compact discNaxos Records. https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.574053&fbclid=IwAR0v8yfiy_OHVa_iROJISMCVDsqIqIQzEOsbdhqP_7kNjOr75XBFpAyWTyMMore infoAppears on album: William Mathias: A Vision of Time and Eternity, Songs and Chamber Music. Jeremy Huw Williams, baritone.
- Ross, W. M., Woods, R. A., Olegario, M., Fraker, S. E., & Luce, B. (2020. William Mathias: A Vision of Time and Eternity, Songs and Chamber Music. Jeremy Huw Williams, baritone.. Compact DiscNaxos Records. https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.574053&fbclid=IwAR0v8yfiy_OHVa_iROJISMCVDsqIqIQzEOsbdhqP_7kNjOr75XBFpAyWTyMMore infoAppears on album: William Mathias: A Vision of Time and Eternity, Songs and Chamber Music. Jeremy Huw Williams, baritone.Performed on several tracks
Creative Performances
- Fraker, S. E. (2013. Radio Broadcasts on Interlochen Public Radio. Performances from Bay View Music Festival.
- Fraker, S. E. (2013. Radio Broadcasts on KUAT. Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Classics and Masterworks performances.
Others
- Fraker, S. E. (2022, December 2022). Johanna M. Beyer, Movement for Woodwinds. Frog Peak Music.
- Fraker, S. E. (2022, December). Johanna M. Beyer, Quintet for Woodwinds. Frog Peak Music.
- Fraker, S. E. (2022, December). Johanna M. Beyer, Suite for Clarinet & Bassoon. Frog Peak Music.
- Fraker, S. E. (2022, December). Johanna M. Beyer, Trio for Woodwinds. Frog Peak Music.
- Fraker, S. E. (2022, July). Johanna M. Beyer, Six Pieces for Oboe & Piano. Frog Peak Music.
- Fraker, S. E. (2018, November). Transcript: Listening to the Songs of Plants. https://www.sarafraker.com/listening-to-the-songs-of-plantsMore infoTranscribed, annotated, and digitally published a 2017 pre-concert conversation given my two invited guest artists, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer (ecologist/author) and Dr. Asha Srinivasan (composer).
Creative Works
- Far In The Heavens: Choral Music of Stephen Paulus; CD release; Reference Recordings (distributed by Naxos); September 2015; Works:Paulus, Prayers and RemembrancesPaulus, The Incomprehensible for Oboe, Harp, and Choir (SOLO credit)
- Pine Chant for reed trio and electronics; Digital download/streaming audio; Soundset Recordings; October 2022
- Magnificent Musical Miniatures; Arizona PBS; November 2022; J.S. Bach, Singet dem Hernn BWV 225 (principal oboe)
- Christmas with True Concord; CD album/streaming; Reference Recordings; November 2019; TCVO is a Grammy-nominated vocal and instrumental ensemble. This recording has risen to No. 3 on Amazon Hot New Releases--Classical: Opera and Vocal, No. 1 on ArkivMusic Holiday Album Best Sellers List, and No. 6 on Apple's Top Selling New Classical Albums. I play solo oboe on 2 tracks. Recorded in Scottsdale, AZ in January 2019.
- Hans Winterberg Chamber Music Vol. I; CD album/streaming; Toccata Classics; November 2018; Co-executive producer, editing supervisor, and performer.Works performed in:Hans Winterberg, Quintet for WindsHans Winterberg, Suite for Winds and HarpsichordHans Winterberg, Suite for Winds and Piano [alternate version]
- BOTANICA: Music for oboe & English horn; CD and digital release; MSR Classics; May 2019; Exploring intersections between the human and botanical worlds, Botanica is a musical entry point into current conversations around environmental and social justice. The six pieces on the album are interrelated, in varying degrees, by threads of common themes and origins: spiritual ecology, poetic text, and resistance to injustice. All are highly expressive in their compositional language. All works are world premiere recordings, with the exception of the Pavel Haas Suite, a masterpiece of the oboe repertoire just beginning to gain full recognition. Asha Srinivasan’s Braiding is a ten-minute piece for oboe, electronics and natural sounds, inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants. It was the result of an interdisciplinary commissioning project made possible by support from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. It Elegy for Oboe and Piano, also commissioned for this project, is one of Glen Roven’s final compositions before his sudden passing in the summer of 2018. It ends poignantly with an original chorale in the style of Bach, haunted by fleeting oboe embellishments. This chorale finds echoes in Pavel Haas’ persistent treatment of the “Wenceslas chorale,” the most enduring musical symbol of Czech nationalism. It is likely that Haas originally composed the Oboe Suite for tenor voice, with an anti-fascist text so dangerously political that he ultimately decided to give the vocal line to the oboe instead. The oboe melody is often recitative-like, tones shaped around the ghostly forms of secret, vanished syllables. In the Four Songs, composed in the Theresienstadt concentration camp, the original bass voice is reimagined as a solo English horn line. Musically, the Suite and the Songs are inextricably linked, making this new transcription for English horn and piano a natural fit. The Oboe Sonata by Soukup, though from a later era, retains the intensity of Czech post-tonal language. Godron’s whimsical Suite Bucolique finds its home here among music rich with allusions to woodland trees and bamboo forests.
- Johanna Beyer: Music for Woodwinds; New World Records; March 2022
- J.S. Bach, Mass in B Minor BWV 232; Arizona PBS; March 2022; From Mourning to Dancing; principal oboe and oboe d'amore
- Idylls for Oboe, Clarinet and Piano; CD album/streaming; Summit Records; March 2018; Performer, editing co-supervisor, and liner notes author.Works:Judith Bingham, Ave Maris StellaRichard Faith, Idylls for Oboe, Clarinet and PianoMarion Bauer, Duo for Oboe and ClarinetRandall Davidson, The Center of the Known WorldGabriel Marie, Feuilles au ventIdylls for Oboe, Clarinet and Piano brings to light a collection of significant and little-known chamber music works for this uncommon trio combination. The disc features two world premiere recordings: Ave Maris Stella by English composer Judith Bingham (b. 1952), and the title work Idylls, a four-movement song cycle by American composer Richard Faith (b.1926). Originally scored in 1972 for two unaccompanied countertenors, Bingham’s 2002 reimagining of the piece opens incredible possibilities for acoustic and tonal effects between the two treble woodwinds. Depicting a “bleak seascape”, the musical textures created by juxtaposing piano and winds make this an evocative and wholly original work. Rich seascapes and landscapes emerge too from Faith’s song cycle, especially in the tumultuous final movement, On the Isle of Skye. American modernist Marion Bauer (1882-1955) applies inventive harmonies to a traditional four-movement scheme in her Duo for Oboe and Clarinet. The Center of the Known World by Randall Davidson (b. 1953) charts the exploration of an inner emotional landscape. It utilizes the acoustic phenomenon of difference tones between the two woodwinds, while also evoking the rivers and steppes of Tuva, the geographical center of Asia. The disc concludes with a gem by the French romantic Gabriel Marie (1852-1928), a sincere and ephemeral trio entitled, Feuilles au vent (“Leaves in the wind”).
- Interlochen Public Radio "In Studio A"; Radio broadcast and video archive; July 2018; Appearance with Bay View Wind Quintet and composer Tony Manfredonia.Andriessen, Sciarada Spagnuola and Manfredonia, Whoa! July 10, 2018
- How Will We Be With You?; online listening exhibition; January 2021; Onsite Gallery – professional gallery and experimental curatorial platform for art, design and digital mediaOCAD University (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)"Braiding" by Asha Srinivasan
- Earth Symphony by Jake Runestad; Arizona PBS; February 2022; From the Edge to Hope; winner, Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Music Composition (Jake Runestad)nominated, Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Audio Live or Post Produced (Alex Kosiorek)
- Lessons & Carols by Candlelight; Arizona PBS; December 2022; Works by Rutter, Paulus, Helvey (solo oboe)
- Duo Entrenous; CD album/streaming; audio recording session producer for Duo Entrenous (clarinet + saxophone duo)
- Richard Faith – Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano; Soundset Recordings; A Second Look