Program Overview
Bassoon
Our bassoon program offers a collaborative studio environment for weekly lessons, master classes of solo, chamber, and orchestral excerpt study, and reed making with double-reed room access.
Members of the ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Orchestra performing on tour at Chicago’s Symphony Center.
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko
Program Facts
- Program Type: Major, Performance Diploma, Artist Diploma
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- Bachelor of Music (BM)
- Performance Diploma (PDip)
- Artist Diploma (ADip)
- Division: Winds, Brass, and Percussion
Quick Links
The 2014 Senior Concerto Competition winner Carl Gardner gives a solo performance with the ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Chamber Orchestra.
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko
ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Chamber Orchestra
ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï sponsors approximately 500 concerts on campus each year, including recitals and concerts by the more than 25 student ensembles. From historical performance to contemporary guitar, classical to popular, computer-generated to acoustic, and from time-tested compositions to newer works, the college and conservatory present performances to satisfy any musical interest.
Master Classes
Weekly studio classes and regular master classes for the bassoon studio involve mock orchestral auditions, reinforcement of fundamentals, chamber music performances, solo recital performances, guest master classes, and many other types of performance opportunities. We encourage students to support their colleagues with positive and constructive feedback. ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï cultivates a learning environment in which students are open to making mistakes without consequence in larger public performances.
Drew Pattison coaches a bassoon student in studio class in Kulas Recital Hall.
Photo credit: Courtesy of ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Conservatory
Bassoon Faculty
Conservatory faculty maintain active performance schedules while remaining accessible and committed to their students. Individual instruction is paramount to helping students develop their mechanical, technical, stylistic, psychological, and musical skills.
The biggest difference between a student and professional is their skill level at practicing. The art of practicing is my primary focus with every student at ÍøÆسԹÏ. That way, rather than being limited to my ideal concept of playing, the student can achieve their own ideal style of playing.
Bassoon News
Conservatory Celebrates Recipients of 2022-23 Honors & Awards
Recipients of ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Conservatory’s 2022-23 Honors and Awards included 43 outstanding students from across the Conservatory’s 11 divisions. Most of the prizes were given to graduating seniors honored...
ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Ensembles Perform for United Nations at Carnegie Hall
December 2 concert before U.N. General Assembly celebrates new partnership; public preview in ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï slated for November 29.
Composer, Instrumentalist, and Educator Katherine Young '03 Earns Guggenheim Fellowship
Award supports completion of suite of electroacoustic pieces developed during the pandemic.
Life After ÍøÆسԹÏ
Bassoon graduates are prepared to pursue professional music careers as soloists and collaborative artists with a range of ensembles—from major orchestras to contemporary chamber groups, with several earning principal appointments. Others work as teachers and professors in schools of music and conservatories, as well as in professions outside of music.
Notable ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Alumni
Ben Roidl-Ward ’15
Assistant Professor of Bassoon at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Solo Bassoonist of Chicago’s Ensemble Dal Niente; Contemporary Leader for the Switzerland's Lucerne Festival Switzerland
Rebekah Heller ’02
Bassoon faculty at The New School-Mannes; Co-Artistic Director and bassoonist of International Contemporary Ensemble
Monica Ellis ’95
bassoonist of Imani Winds; faculty at Curtis Institute of Music and Manhattan School of Music