Artist Q/A (Jan 2025)

Q: What drew you to the bassoon specifically among all orchestral instruments? How is the bassoon experience when you are playing in a band?

A: My grandmother and I both loved Big Band when I was growing up, and because of this I wanted to play the tenor saxophone. The way they assigned instruments in my high school district is they brought you in and you tried different instruments you wanted to play, then if they noticed certain habits or certain grade propensities they would steer you in a different direction. So I went to play a saxophone and I made a noise but it definitely wasn’t cute. They gave me a bassoon and it was just an immediate click.

Concert bands are a bit more modern of a concept. I sometimes feel that symphony orchestra music utilizes the bassoon much better than modern concert band music. To my excitement, a lot of the arrangements I played in high school and college were concert band arrangements of classical pieces that were originally written for a symphony orchestra. However, I also had the opportunity in school to play a lot of really good traditional concert band music as well. When you play a really good piece of concert band music, you're reminded that the bassoon can really shine in concert bands as well as orchestras.

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Q: Can you share a memorable moment from a performance or rehearsal where the bassoon had a spotlight or a particularly challenging part?

A: One of my favorite performances would have to be Respighi's Pines of Rome when I was in college. I was able to play that piece with a really good and very talented friend of mine who plays the oboe, and it was such a great experience to hear her absolutely rip it up on the English Horn during that piece, and then to join her in a very brief duet was so lovely. One of the best parts of playing music is being able to do it with the people you care about.

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Q: What piece of classical music do you think showcases the bassoon's capabilities the most?

A: I really love the involvement of the bassoon in Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Specifically, Var. 3 where the bassoon has a very lovely feature in the chocolately register of the instrument.

I would also say that Malcom Arnold’s Scottish Dances movement two is a pretty great bassoon feature

Also the third movement of Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Grainger. The bassoon solo in the beginning of that piece is really lovely, especially because you get to use the lowest register of the instrument.

Q: How has the role of the bassoon in orchestras evolved over the years, from your perspective?

A: I’m probably a bad person to ask because I, one, don’t play professionally, and two, really enjoy playing much older music. I often feel like the king of the orchestra when I do get the pleasure of playing in an orchestra, because I find my part so satisfying. I'd say that I find enjoyment in the consistency of the bassoon as a staple in the symphony orchestra.

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Q: What advice would you give to someone starting to learn the bassoon today?

A: I used to be insane and play for like three to four hours a day, every day of the week for a very long time. I would say if at first you sound bad, that's par for the course. Just keep going and practicing, and listen to your teacher and I promise it’ll get better and sound better. Specifically for young musicians, I say, practice, practice, practice. And I know that's so cliche, but mastering the basics really does make a difference.

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Q: Do you make your own bassoon reeds?

A: I don't because I'm not a professional. It takes a lot of time and money to make them. They cost about $30 every time I buy them and are very temporary. They're kind of like pointe shoes in the sense that you can only use them for so long, and then you have to retire them when they're simply too worn out.

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Q: Are there any misconceptions about the bassoon that you'd like to clear up?

A: Everything you've heard about the bassoon is probably true. Like it's an odd sounding instrument that takes forever to learn. Very few approach it and all the people who play it are insane. It's all true. It's all true. It is. I love it though. It attracts only the people crazy enough to play it, and it’s a joy to be surrounded with people just as crazy as you are.