I am the second bassoon at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (London) and you'll find here my reflections on playing the bassoon (in particular second bassoon) and the world of music in general. It might be of interest to bassoon students, teachers, amateurs and fellow professionals. Although this site is U.K. based, I hope there is something here for those from elsewhere.

On this page I'll put anything of current interest e.g. forthcoming concerts, events, recordings, vacancies, general gossip etc. So if you have any bassoon news, please send me an e-mail . 

'Saying of the Month' for September:
'There is spirit in a reed.' (Steve Lacey. Soprano sax player. 1934-2004).

On Tuesday 5th Oct, 10.00 till 1.00 and 2.00 till 5.00, at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Robin O'Neill (principal bassoon of the Philharmonia Orchestra) will be giving a Bassoon Masterclass. Open to the public and free.
See: http://www.ram.ac.uk/events/Pages/default.aspx .

Also on Friday 22nd Oct, 10.00 till 1.00 and 2.00 till 5.00, at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Andrea de Flammineis (my section principal at the Royal Opera House) will be giving a Bassoon Masterclass. Open to the public and free.
See: http://www.ram.ac.uk/events/Pages/default.aspx .

On Sunday, 10th Oct Guildhall School of Music an Drama in London is hosting a 'Big Double Reed Day' with Materclasses, Reed Workshops, Recitals and 'Try-out Workshops'. See: www.bigdoublereed.com .

On 13 Oct at 6.00pm, at the RCM in London, Jane Gower will present a 'taster session for baroque and classical bassoon'. See: http://www.rcm.ac.uk/?pg=103 .

I sell the bassoon reeds that I make. These are exactly the same as those I use at the ROH. For more information, please click here.
Please note that, since I will be on tour with my orchestra, I will not be able to send off any reeds until the last week of September. Any orders recieved in the meantime will be sent off in the order they are received.