About Us
The Council of Canadian Bassoonists is dedicated to introducing diverse audiences to the bassoon through musical performances and educational enrichment. We are an organization of professional bassoonists, teachers, students and friends of the bassoon. The COCB welcomes all ages and backgrounds, including the lay person, the beginner, the amateur, the student and the professional. We are a trusted resource for the advancement of education and stimulating collaborative initiatives.
Through workshops and performances, both live and recorded, we give prospective bassoon players and listeners an opportunity to hear our noble instrument in solo and ensemble settings, presenting the bassoon in new and unusual ways, featuring the finest in Canadian bassoon playing as well as outstanding foreign artists.
Going forward in the time of Covid, we are moving our educational and performance activities online and will be sharing links to performances and masterclasses by Canadian artists. Stay tuned as we figure out exactly how to do that!
On the education front, we sponsor live and online events that bring students and professionals together. In some cases, we can connect students with approved mentors, and we also have a limited number of reeds to share with students in need.
As a registered charity, we supply tax receipts for all donations, including monetary donations and equipment donations such as bassoons, reeds, and music.
We know that a world of possibility exists within the voice of the bassoon and we invite you to join us in experiencing more of this complex and rare musical instrument and it’s extraordinary adaptability to many cultural styles of music.
Mentorship
We have a network of bassoonists to consult with players both young and senior who need access to a teacher.
Current Mentors
NADINA MACKIE JACKSON
Principal Bassoon group of twenty-seven – Toronto
JULIA LOCKHART
Principal Bassoon, Vancouver Symphony
ADAM ROMEY
Education and Community Engagement Coordinator for the Minnesota Orchestra
PATRICK BOLDUC
Principal Bassoon, New Brunswick Symphony
NICOLAS RICHARD
International Grad Student
NEIL BISHOP
Sistema, St John, New Brunswick
CHRISTOPHER MILLARD
Principal Bassoon, National Arts Centre Orchestra
OUR BOARD
The Board of the Council of Canadian Bassoonists includes members from BC to Quebec, Ontario, the Maritimes and international members. Please use the contact form if you are interested in standing for election or if you have Board members to recommend for the future.
NEIL BISHOP, SECRETARY
Secretary, Head of St John Bassoon Studio, Sistema New Brunswick
PATRICK BOLDUC
Principal Bassoon, Symphony New Brunswick
MATHIEU LUSSIER
Composer, Conductor, Bassoonist and Associate Dean of Faculty of Music, Université de Montréal
ERIC MACARIOS
Licensing Manager, Spotify, Bassoonist (International Board Member, New York City)
NADINA MACKIE JACKSON
President & Acting Treasurer, Bassoonist (Dunchurch, Ontario)
LESLIE MAGOWAN
Retired teacher, ongoing bassoon teacher, Bassoonist (Hamilton)
UTA MESSERHUBER
Senior Systems Manager, Rogers (Orangeville)
PHILIP MOREHEAD
Retired Head of Music Staff, Chicago Lyric Opera, Pianist, Conductor & Bassoonist (Dwight, Ontario)
CHRISTOPHER MILLARD
Principal Bassoon, National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa)
ADAM ROMEY
Education and Outreach Coördinator, Minnesota Orchestra, Bassoonist (international board member, Minnesota)
JESSE READ
Former Director and Professor Emeritus of University of British Columbia, Bassoonist, Photographer, based in BC and France
JO ANN SIMPSON
Bassoonist, founder of Virtuosi Productions, co-founder of Brooke Valley Bassoon Days (Ottawa)
Support Us
Make a Donation
The COCB is a registered charity and can provide tax receipts within Canada for monetary donations or for instrument donations. Equipment donations are welcomed, including sheet music, reeds, reed tools and cane. Bocals, good quality bassoons and new cases are also very welcome. Monetary donations are put towards educational concerts and workshops that are open to the general public.
Volunteer
We welcome applications from professionals who wish to be part of our network of volunteers. And we also need volunteers at various events. Please contact us for more information at nadina@councilofcanadianbassoonists.ca
Instrument and Reed Bank
There are a limited number of reeds available for students in need.
We are working to develop an inventory of good student bassoons to lend to young players who could not otherwise afford them.
In the past, we have supplied both young students and senior citizens with bassoons to borrow. We currently have no bassoons available and are are looking for further donations of serviceable bassoons.
Nico Richard, recipient of reed-making materials
“The Council of Canadian Bassoonists has given me the confidence and the motivation required to live a life full of music. Without its generous support, it would have been impossible for me to have grown so much as a musician, as well as have the tools necessary to be completely immersed in the beautiful world that is bassoon playing.”
– Nico Richard
Gabby Cormier with her teacher, Pat Bolduc (principal bassoon of the New Brunswick Symphony)
“The Council of Canadian Bassoonists’ generosity has allowed Gabby to continue playing; she has grown so much in a year. Gabby has been able to take lessons, play in a trio, participate in the music festival, go to music camp and to have fun. She is a very lucky young lady.”
– Janet Cormier (Gabby’s mom)
Photo Gallery
Contact Us
- If you are a bassoon student of any age and looking for information.
- If you wish to donate money, reeds, or a bassoon to the COCB.
- If you are a corporation that would like to sponsor a Bassoon Day or special concert by major artists.
- If you have ANY questions at all or comments to make on blog, write to us!
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
We send out regular (but not too regular!) newsletters.
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