On May 20th I performed Mozart’s Concerto for Bassoon with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá. The concert coincided with the ‘Encuentro Nacional de Fagotistas’ sponsored by the National Symphony of Colombia. As the featured guest artist, I taught master classes with bassoon students from across Colombia and judged the national bassoon competition. These events were expertly organized by Zulma Bautista, bassoonist in the National Symphony. I was enamored by the country and its people and thrilled at the talent of the bassoon students.

Rehearsing with the symphony:

On May 24th I performed a Vivaldi bassoon concerto as soloist with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Caldas in Manizales, Colombia. Additionally I taught master classes as part of the Batuta system, a national youth orchestra program modeled after El Sistema music education program in Venezuela.

A promotional advertisement for the concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsqvLBfpVOU

From April 26th to May 1st I performed and taught at the Universidad de Costa Rica in San José, Costa Rica. I performed a solo recital as part of the ‘Martes por la Noche’ concert series April 27th, taught master classes, reed making seminars and private lessons working with the fabulously talented bassoon studio of maestra Isabel Jeremías.

From April 15th to the 20th I performed solo recitals and taught master classes at Lawrence Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin; University of Wisconsin – Madison; and University of Minnesota – Duluth. What a great privilege to work with and get to know professors Marc Vallon, Jefferson Campbell and Monte Perkins and to work with their students.

I’m excited to have learned that I will be performing at the International Double Reed Society Conference again this summer with our newly formed bassoon ensemble. The recital (Tuesday, June 22 at 4pm in Sharp Concert Hall) is entitled ‘Music for Bassoons and Ghetto Blaster’ and will feature new music and new arrangements for amplified bassoon and amplified bassoon ensemble with prepared tape and onstage video projection. Our as yet unnamed group is Rachael Elliott, Michael Harley, Lynn Hileman, Peter Kolkay and myself.

Here’s the program:

Music for Bassoons and Ghetto Blaster

• 21 Miles to Coolville (2009) *World Premiere, by David Smooke for solo bassoon and three accompanying bassoons with video projection.
  Michael Harley with Rachael Elliott, Peter Kolkay and Lynn Hileman
• Billie (2003) by Jacob Ter Veldhuis for bassoon and ghetto blaster (prepared tape).
  Arranged for bassoon and performed by Saxton Rose
• Tetrishead (2004) by Zoe Keating. Arranged for four bassoons by Lynn Hileman.
  Rachael Elliott, Michael Harley, Lynn Hileman and Saxton Rose
• Press Release (1991) by David Lang for solo amplified bassoon.
  Performed by Rachael Elliott
• Pitch Black (1998) by Jacob Ter Veldhuis for bassoon ensemble and ghetto blaster (prepared tape). Arranged for bassoons by Saxton Rose.
  Rachael Elliott, Michael Harley, Lynn Hileman, Peter Kolkay and Saxton Rose

On February 15th I gave a lecture-recital on extended bassoon techniques at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, IN. A focal point of the talk was using the International Phonetic Alphabet to describe and explain various internally generated extended techniques such as flutter-tongue, multi-phonics and harmonics. I used as examples, Sequenza XII of Berio and Huit pièces pour basson et ensemble instrumental by Philippe Hersant, among other works. Thank you to Professors William Ludwig and Kathleen Mclean for having me as a guest.

On February 16th I presented a master class and solo recital at Butler University in Indianapolist, IN. I had a terrific time working with the students there and performing with bassoon professor Doug Spaniol.

I had the pleasure of performing solo recitals, giving master classes and teaching lessons at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana last week. I had a terrific time working with both bassoon studios and with Professors Keith Sweger and Timothy McGovern. These are two very strong programs. The recital programs inlcuded:

• Vivaldi: Concerto for bassoon in d minor, F.VIII, No. 5
• Telemann: Fantasie for solo bassoon No. 1 in C major, No. 2 in d minor and No. 3 in d minor
• Hersant: Hopi for solo bassoon
• Hersant: Niggun for solo bassoon
• Mozart: Sonata, K. 292 for two bassoons

The following is Saxton Rose’s performance and event schedule for the 2009/2010 season. It is subject to change so if you have questions about attending an event, please contact me.
Map to University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

September 12, 13, 15:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony including Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 3 and Suite from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky.

October 2, 4, 6:

Performances with Piedmont Opera of Hansel and Gretel, More information

October 10:

Performance with the Winston-Salem Symphony and pianist Awadagin Pratt. 7:30 pm Reynolds Auditorium.

October 27, 28:

Solo recital and master class at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Contact Keith Sweger ksweger@bsu.edu for more information.

October 29, 30:

Solo recital and Masterclass at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Contact Timothy McGovern tsmcgove@uiuc.edu for more information.

November 22, 24:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony including Peace Overture for Orchestra by Peck; Schicksalslied (Song of Fate) by Brahms; Requiem by Lloyd Webber

December 5:

Woodwind Day at UNCSA. Bassoon master class, reed making seminar, bassoon ensemble concert and a performance with the UNCSA woodwind faculty including Beethoven’s Duo for Bassoon and Clarinet with Alexander Fiterstein and a solo performance. Download the flyer or contact me for more information.

December 8:

Guest artist recital and master class at UNCSA featuring the bassoon duo Tuple, Rachael Elliott and Lynn Hileman. 4:30pm in Hood Recital Hall. Please contact me for more information.

December 15, 16, 21:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony of Handel’s Messiah

January 16:

Performance of Stravinsky’s Histoire du soldat/The Soldier’s Tale with Oleander Chamber Orchestra in Wilmington, NC.

February 5:

Performance as soloist with UNCSA contemporary music ensemble nu of Philippe Hersant’s Huit pièces pour basson et ensemble instrumental. Ransom Wilson conducting.

February 6, 7 and 9:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony of Shostakovich’s Symphony no. 10 in E minor, op. 93 and Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F Major

February 13:

Performance of Mejunje del fagobongo for bassoon and bongo by Alfonso Fuentes; Latin Love Op. 82 by Miguel del Aguila for wind quintet and piano; El Corazón Delator (The Accusing Heart) by Eduardo Morales-Caso for bassoon, flute and clarinet. Tadeu Coelho, flute; Joseph Robinson, oboe; Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet; David Jolley, horn; John R. Beck, bongo. 7:30 p.m., Watson Chamber Music Hall at UNCSA.

February 15:

Solo recital and Masterclass at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, IN. Contact William Ludwig wludwig@indiana.edu for more information.

February 16:

Solo recital and Masterclass at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. Contact Douglas Spaniol dspaniol@butler.edu for more information.

February 25:

Keith Sweger, bassoon professor at Ball State University recital and master class at UNCSA. 3:45pm master class in Hood Recital Hall, 8pm recital in Crawford Hall. Please contact me for more information.

March 13, 14, 10:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony including Brandenburg Concerto no. 2 in F Major by Bach, Concerto for Mandolin by Thile

March 27:

Solo recital at UNCSA. “Guided by Voices: Music for Bassoon Inspired by Song” Program includes works by Phillipe Hersant, de Falla, Donizetti and Brahms. With pianist Karen Beres, violist Sheila Browne and soprano Elizabeth Pacheco Rose. 7:30 p.m., Watson Chamber Music Hall at UNCSA

April 9, 11, 13:

Performances with Piedmont Opera of Turandot, More information

April 10:

Performance with the Winston-Salem Symphony and Chris Botti, trumpet

April 15:

Solo recital and master class at Lawrence Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. Contact Monte Perkins monte.perkins@lawrence.edu for more information.

April 16:

Solo recital and master class at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Contact Marc Vallon vallon@wisc.edu for more information.

April 19:

Solo recital and master class at the University of Minnesota – Duluth. Contact Jefferson Campbell jcampbel@d.umn.edu for more information.

April 26-May 1:

Teaching residency at the Universidad de Costa Rica in San José. Solo recital as part of the ‘Martes por la Noche’ concert series April 27th. Contact Isabel Jeremis at fagotisa@hotmail.com for more information.

May 16, 17:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony of Mahler’s Symphony no. 5

May 20:

Performance of the Mozart Concerto for Bassoon with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá

May 18-22:

Judge for the Bassoon Competition in Bogotá, Colombia as part of the ‘Encuentro Nacional de Fagotistas’ sponsored by the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia. Master classes May 17, 18, 19, 20, 2010

May 23-26:

Performance of Vivaldi Bassoon Concerto with Orquesta Sinfónica de Caldas in Manizales, Colombia. Teaching residency, solo recital.

June 16:

Performance with Dark in the Song, a new bassoon ensemble at The White Mule, a music bar in Columbia, SC. The performance will feature adventurous new music for amplified bassoon ensemble by Jacob Ter Veldhuis, David Lang, David Smooke and Zoe Keating.

June 22:

Performance with Dark in the Song, a new bassoon ensemble at the International Double Reed Society Conference in Norman, OK. The group is Peter Kolkay, Michael Harley, Rachael Elliott, Lynn Hileman and myself. The recital will feature works by Jacob Ter Veldhuis, David Lang, David Smooke and Zoe Keating.

July 18-23:

Faculty teaching residency and performances as principal bassoon at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Summer Music Festival. Music of Wagner, Mahler, Strauss with Lawrence Renes, conductor. More information

July 24-31:

Performances and teaching residency at the Quartz Mountain Music Festival and Orchestra Academy. More information

2008/2009

September 18, 20, 21 and 22:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony of Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben.

October 11:

Performance with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra of Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, Roberto Sierra’s Fandangos and Beethoven’s Symphony no. 3; José Ramos Santana, piano; Maximiano Valdés, conducting. 8pm Centro de Bellas Artes, San Juan, Puerto Rico

October 21:

Performance of Gubaidulina’s Duo Sonata with UNCSA faculty member Taimur Sullivan on baritone saxophone. 7:30 p.m., Watson Chamber Music Hall at UNCSA

November 22:

Performance with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra of Smetana’s Overture to The Bartered Bride, Debussy’s La Mer and Brahms’ Violin Concerto with Sarah Chang, violin; Luis Biava, conducting. 8pm Centro de Bellas Artes, San Juan, Puerto Rico

December 6:

Woodwind Day at UNCSA. Bassoon master class, reed making seminar, bassoon ensemble concert and a performance with the UNCSA woodwind faculty including André Previn’s Sonata for Bassoon and Piano and Mendelssohn’s Concertpiece No. 2 with clarinetist Igor Belgelman and pianist Alex Maynegre.

December 18, 19:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony of Handel’s Messiah

January 19:

Performance with Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos conducting the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra of a program including Stravinsky’s The Firebird and Respighi’s Fountains of Rome. 8pm Centro de Bellas Artes, San Juan, Puerto Rico

January 24:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf

January 27:

Performance with UNCSA faculty of Mozart’s Quintet in E flat major for Piano and Winds. 7:30pm in Watson Chamber Music Hall

January 29:

Bassoonist Charles McCracken recital and master class at UNCSA.

February 7, 8 and 10:

Performance as soloist with the Winston-Salem Symphony of Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante, K 297b; Robert Moody, conductor. Also on the program is Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra. More information

February 14:

Performance of Gubaidulina’s Quasi Hoquetus for viola, bassoon and piano with UNCSA faculty members, Sheila Browne and Karen Beres. 7:30 p.m., Watson Chamber Music Hall at UNCSA

February 16:

Recital and master class at the University of South Carolina hosted by Professor Peter Kolkay. For more information, email Peter Kolkay at pkolkay@mozart.sc.edu

February 19:

William Ludwig, professor of bassoon at Indiana University – Bloomington, will present a master class and recital at UNCSA. The master class will take place from 2:00-4:00pm and the recital is in Watson Hall at 6:00pm. More information.

March 6, 8, 10:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony and JoAnn Falletta of Schumann’s Manfred Overture and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major. More information

March 31:

Performance of Elliott Carter’s Au Quai for viola and bassoon with UNCSA faculty member Sheila Browne. 7:30 p.m., Watson Chamber Music Hall at UNCSA

April 3, 5, 7:

Performances with Piedmont Opera of The Marriage of Figaro, More information

April 4:

Chamber music concert with UNCSA flutist, Tadeu Coelho, harpsichordist Eric Larsen including Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No.6 for flute and bassoon. 7:30 p.m., Watson Chamber Music Hall at UNCSA

April 18, 19, 21:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony of Ravel’s Bolero and music of Turina, de Falla and Rodrigo. More information.

May 16, 17, 19:

Performances with the Winston-Salem Symphony of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor

May 29:

Performance with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra of Ravel’s Rapsodia española and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Shéhérazade. Maximiano Valdés, conducting. 8pm Centro de Bellas Artes, San Juan, Puerto Rico

June 21 – July 4:

Teaching at the UNCSA Summer music program. Learn more

July 12, 13:

Performances as part of the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival in Highlands and Cashiers North Carolina. Solo and chamber music concerts including the Villa-Lobos and Francaix trios for oboe, clarinet and bassoon with Laura Ardan, clarinet and John Dee, oboe; and TBD solo repertoire. More information

July 21-25:

Solo and chamber music recitals as invited guest at the International Double Reed Society Conference in Birmingham, England. Solo recital to include music of Jacob Ter Veldhuis, Brian Ebert and Telemann.

From July 19-26 I visited Birmingham, England to attend the International Double Reed Conference. The IDRS conference is held during the summer once a year, each time in a different location throughout the world. This year’s event in Birmingham marked the first conference in the UK for 20 years and was a terrific success. In addition to performing at this year’s conference, I assisted in the videography of performances and master classes for publication on IDRS.org, the website of the International Double Reed Society for which I serve as assistant editor. Look for the new videos soon at http://www.idrs.org/multimedia/.

On July 12th and 13th I performed as part of the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival in the beautiful mountains of southwestern North Carolina. The festival, in its 28th season, is a terrific music festival with top-notch performers in a gorgeous setting. Along with Laura Ardan (principal clarinetist of the Atlanta Symphony), oboist John Dee (professor at University of Illinois) and pianist Will Ransom (director of the festival), I performed the Villa-Lobos trio for oboe, clarinet and bassoon; Poulenc’s trio for oboe, bassoon and piano; and a set of solo Fantasie by Telemann.