As of the posting for Devon Schroeder's Senior Recital, we have now added sound bites to the bassoon weblog. So if you see a title underlined, just click on it to hear the work being played. Of course most of you already knew this, but I thought that it was necessary to tell you this for those of us not so computer savvy.
The spring is upon us soon, and we need to make sure that the bassoons are being heard! The two major events coming up in the spring Northern Festival of Bands, February 8-10, and the Scholarship Auditions February 23 and March 3. Every year the School of Music awards over $250,000 yearly in scholarship funds. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of talent and departmental need. You must have your application completed 3 weeks before either date. If you are interested in applying for scholarship, apply online at www.uni.edu/music.
This is a bountiful resource that has been created by the 2nd bassoonist of the London Symphony. He has a full list of possible alternate fingers - quiet, fast, pitch related, etc. for all bassoonists to enhance their performance abilities. This blog is full of humor, charm, information, and all things bassoon. http://secondbassoon.blog.com/2006/5/
On April 16th at 6pm the Bassoon studio will be presenting the quasi-annual Bassoon and Friends concert in the Russell Auditorium. Works being performed include: Mozart Sonata for Bassoon and Cello; Duo from the Opera Beatriz; Pigs for bassoon quartet; Wiessenborn Duo and Trio; and many other exciting performances featuring the, of course, the bassoon! All members of the studio will be performing on this exciting concert and many will be playing with their 'friends', aka other instruments. Of course, like all events held in the Russell Auditorium, this event is free to the public!
Devon gave his senior recital on Monday, February 26th, 2006 at 6pm in Russell Hall Auditorium. He was accompanied on the piano by Kyoung Jin Park while performing: Sonatine for Bassoon and Piano by Alexandre Tansman, Concerto in F Major for Bassoon by Carl Maria von Weber. He also performed 
The January 2007 Des Moines Symphony Concert bassoon section was comprised completely of bassoonists from the bassoon studio at UNI. Dr. David Rachor played principal; Timothy Gale (BA 1996) on 2nd; Ben Fox (BME 2000) on 3rd; and Devin Schroeder (Senior at UNI). The concert featured Mahler's Sixth Symphony, requiring almost 100 musicians to complete the musical feat. The first piece performed on the concert featured violinist Kristin Lee performing the Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor opus. 26 by Max Bruch. More proof that UNI Bassoonists perform professionally!
Two former UNI bassoon graduates are now teaching at the collegiate level. Timothy Gale, BM 1998, is adjunct bassoon professor at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. He also is the 2nd bassoonist for the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra (pictured at right). Ben Fox, BME 2000, is adjunct bassoon and oboe professor at North Iowa Area Community College. Ben has returned from teaching in the Middle East for the past 5 years.
Dr. David Rachor is well known in his studio, past and present, for his movie line quotations. Without notice or warning, Dr. Rachor will start an entire monolog from any given movie, always with relevance to the lesson being taught. Watch the sight in the upcoming week for the "Must Watch Movies" list being complied by Dr. Rachor.
Welcome back to me! I am an alum of UNI, graduated in December of 2000
with a Bachelors in Music Education. I performed with the Wind Symphony
and Chamber Winds primarily while as an undergrad, as well as with the
Des Moines Symphony, Cedar Rapids Symphony, Dubuque Symphony, and the U
of Iowa Summer Opera programs. While at UNI, I had the opportunity to
study at the Consevatoire Nationale d'Region in Angers, France with
Philip Piat for a semseter during my senior year. Upon returning to UNI to
finish my degree, I decided to do my student teaching overseas, as I
couldn't wait to explore another culture, and I was placed in Kuwait, of
all places. After returning from Kuwait and graduating, I moved to St.
Paul, MN where I was a substitute teacher for the St. Paul School
District. While working for St. Paul, I was hired to start a band
program at a newer American school in Dubai, United Arab Emriates.
After building and developing a high acheiving band program, I decided
it was time to return to school to educate myself and have my Masters.
I am excited to be back in the studio and approaching learning from an
entirely different perspective.
The Capriccio Quintet, a student wind quintet at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music, gave a recital on Wednesday 29 March 2006 in Russell Hall Auditorium.
The program consisted of the following works: the Joseph Haydn's Divertimento; Trois Pieces Brèves by Jacques Ibert; Kleine Kammermauik by Paul Hindemith; Suite by Gunther Schuller, and Five-Ring Circus by Russell Peck.
The members of the quintet, all music majors at UNI, are as follows: Frida Linderang, Flute; Gretchen Rusch, Oboe; Megan Else, clarinet; Amanda Goepferich, horn; and Devin Schroeder, bassoon. The ensemble is coached by Dr. Thomas Tritle, professor of horn. The repertoire of this concert was of a professional caliber and shows the high performance level of this ensemble.
