Oboe Reeds Direct is a new company set up by oboist Eimear Saunders. Eimear became aware of how few people were taking up the oboe and the effect it was having on orchestras and ensembles across the country during her final year as a student at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She found that a lack of suitable and affordable reeds was a major barrier for people wishing to play the oboe and decided to devote her remaining time in college to finding a way to solve this problem. As well as basing all of her all academic work on researching reeds and reed-making, Eimear consulted teachers and players of all levels to find out exactly what they require from their reeds and why reeds already on the market were not meeting their needs. The results are reeds specifically designed so that players of all levels can make the most of their abilities at affordable prices, which means that playing the oboe can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone. In May 2007, Oboe Reeds Direct won the prestigious Deutsche Bank Pyramid Award which recognizes innovation and entrepreneurship in graduating arts students.