Announcing the 2023 New Bassoon Institute at the University of Michigan June 11 – 17, 2023.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE

Dark in the Song’s Rachael Elliott, Michael Harley and Lynn Hileman join University of Michigan bassoon professor Jeffrey Lyman to present a week-long workshop on contemporary bassoon literature, performance techniques, and pedagogy. Designed for college students and beyond, activities include collaborative faculty and participant performances, master classes, experiential workshops, private lessons, and recording opportunities. Read about the 2019 Institute.

Application deadline: May 1, 2023. Apply Now

2023 NEW BASSOON INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS

• Master classes and private lessons by New Bassoon Institute Faculty Rachael Elliott, Michael Harley, Lynn Hileman, and Jeffrey Lyman
• Performances of chamber music for multiple bassoons, prepared during the week
• Showcase performance (all participants): “Arboretum,” by Brad Balliett
• Group reading session: “Rushes,” by Michael Gordonr
• Workshops on contemporary bassoon literature, commissioning new works, and the pedagogy of extended techniques, with strategies for circular breathing, multiphonics, flutter tonguing, and microtones
• “Get Out of Your Head and Into Flow” workshop
• Faculty recital of solo and chamber works, including the live premiere of J.P. Dreblow’s “Les Blindes, or ‘The Armored Ones’” for two bassoons, winner of the 2020 Dark in the Song Composition Prize

COSTS

• In-Person Participant + Room / Meals: $850
• In-Person Participant + Room (no meals): $700
• In-Person Participant + Meals (no room): $700

*Tuition includes all program activities such as classes, concert admission, and private lessons. Participants must pay for their own travel to and from Ann Arbor, MI, and should plan to arrive by June 10 and depart on June 18.

Link for more information and to apply

TESTIMONIALS

“So, I went to the 2018 Dark in the Song New Bassoon Music Workshop hoping to increase my exposure to new bassoon music and perhaps pick up some skills to use on gigs. I also wanted to hear some samples of current bassoon music, as I felt quite a bit out of touch. I was fully expecting to soldier through (no matter what I heard) and just try to at least learn something new. What actually happened was a transformation in me, from skeptic to fan. The faculty of players/teachers planned very informative and interactive sessions that drew me in and kept me. Their individual and collective knowledge of new bassoon music and their playing artistry were fully world-class. I was inspired at every performance I attended to become the very best bassoonist I could imagine so that I, myself, might acquire the skills needed to play as well as they. Notably, I now believe in the expressive power of properly mastered extended techniques, which is for me an endless invitation to discovery. I very much recommend attending the workshop. Chestertown, MD, is charming and lovely, and the community fully supports the workshop with warmth and generous service.”
-Tia Wortham, Principal bassoon, US Navy Band

“New Bassoon Institute was one of the highlights of my summer! The opportunity to work with such skilled artists who have a specialty in contemporary music is something you really can’t find anywhere else, particularly for bassoon! The skill and talent of each faculty member helped make the experience wonderful and the sense of community engagement was also very unique, I highly recommend it.”
– Dan Wolfe, DMA candidate, University of Houston

“The New Bassoon workshop is a wonderful environment to explore new ideas, make friends, and experience the amazing support of the local community of Chestertown. The faculty are excellent: innovative, accomplished, and diverse, equipped to tackle challenges in new music and meet you where your interests are.”
– Rachel Leeper