EK Duo • 2023-2024 Season
Saturday, January 27, 2024
EK Duo at Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA
February 25-26, 2024
EK Duo at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
5/3/24 - ShapeShifter Lab, Brooklyn, NY from 7-8 pm
tickets & info
4/26/24 - Portico Brewing, Somerville, MA from 6-8 pm
info
4/26/24 - Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Boston, MA
4/17/24 - University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC
4/15/24 - School of Music, UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
4/7/24 - Westford Music Series, Westford, VT (with Heliand)
4/6/24 - York Street Meeting House, Lyndon, VT (with Heliand)
4/5/24 - Enosburg Opera House, Enosburg, VT (with Heliand)
2/26/24 - Improvisation workshop at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, TX
2/25/24 - Recital at 5 pm, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, TX
2/22/24 - Recital and Improvisation workshop at University of Houston, Houston, TX
2/21/24 - Recital at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, TX
2/19/24 - Masterclass & Improvisation workshop at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
2/18/24 - Recital at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
1/27/24 - Recital at Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
1/17-1/21/24 - Residency at Artfarm Recording, Accord, NY
11/30/23 at 7 pm - York Street Meeting House, Lyndon, VT
presented by Upright Steeple Society
10/29/23 - Andrea Clearfield’s HALLOWEEN SZALON in Philadelphia, PA
info
10/21/23 - Woodwind Summit at Crane School of Music, Potsdam, NY
10/19/23 - Recital and class at SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, NY
10/16/23 - Time & Space Limited, Hudson, NY
info
10/16/23 - rebroadcast of our interview on WGXC 90.7 FM
10/13/23 - live interview on WGXC 90.7 FM with Tom Roe
Audio from archived show (EK Duo interview begins at ca. 1 hour in)
9/30/23 - Recital and class at West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
9/27/23 - Recital and class at Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
Bassoonist Rachael Elliott and percussionist Thomas Kozumplik form a dynamic musical partnership grounded in chamber music, improvisation, groove, and sound exploration. They perform original works and their own arrangements of music by Philip Glass, Thomas Kozumplik, Padma Newsome, and others.
EK Duo’s unique sonic world melds acoustic music with looping and electronic transformations. The result is a haunting sort of chamber music with minimalist elements colored by the steel drum, kalimba, chimes, melodica and reedy bassoon.
ekduo.com
EK Duo
”Get It!” by Gene Koshinski
Performed April 11, 2023 at Artfarm
Video by Tom Burnett
EK Duo live
“To Bastion Point” by Padma Newsome
The Lilypad in Cambridge, Massachusetts
March 10, 2023
EK Duo livestream
“Song of the Eldar” by Thomas Kozumplik
April 12, 2023 at Artfarm
NewBassoon Institute at the University of Michigan
June 2 - 8, 2024
“Shocks and Aftershocks: Those Who Put the ‘New’ in ‘NewBassoon”
2023 NewBassoon Institute performing Brad Balliett’s “Arboretum” at Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Join leading American bassoon artists and teachers Jeffrey Lyman, Michael Harley, Lynn Hileman, and Rachael Elliott in this exciting week-long workshop on contemporary bassoon literature, performance techniques, and pedagogy. Includes lessons, masterclasses, workshops, performance and recording opportunities.
We’re thrilled to announce our next performance of Brad Balliett’s “Arboretum” for multiple bassoons, a site-specific, outdoor performance taking place in Nichols Arboretum near the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. In addition, the 2024 Institute includes a live public performance of Michael Gordon’s “Rushes”, a hypnotic masterpiece for seven bassoons, with opportunities for selected Institute Fellows to perform alongside Faculty.
Rachael Elliott (bassoon), Thomas Kozumplik (percussion), Katie Oprea (oboe)
Photo by Mary Gibson
Heliand & EK Duo • Zodiac Dust
April 5-7, 2024
Classical and new music intermingle in this expansive sonic journey featuring Heliand & EK Duo’s arrangements of music by J. S. Bach, Claude Debussy, Thomas Kozumplik, Padma Newsome, Isadora Zebeljan, and others. Experience chamber music in 3 of northern Vermont’s acoustical gems!
Friday 4/5/24 at 7:30 pm
The Opera House at Enosburg Falls
123 Depot Street
Enosburg Falls, VT 05450
presented by Enosburg Opera House
Saturday 4/6/24 at 7 pm
York Street Meeting House
153 York St
Lyndon, VT 05849
presented by Catamount Arts
Sunday 4/7/24 at 4 pm
Westford Common Hall
1 White Church Lane
Westford, VT 05494
presented by Westford Music Series
Tuple | Mappa Mundi • California Tour
March 12-16, 2024
Tuple photo by Graham Saathoff
Mappa Mundi features two extraordinary new works—Les Blindes by American composer J.P. Dreblow, and Earth by the Afro-Swiss composer Jessie Cox. Drawing on such diverse inspiration as Renaissance masses, baroque dance suites, progressive rock, and the groundbreaking bassoon works of Sofia Gubaidulina, Les Blindes fuses historical references with modern techniques, including microtones, multiphonics, flutter tonguing, and improvisation to create a striking and utterly original work. Earth makes equally dramatic use of the bassoon’s unique spectral, timbral, and articulation possibilities in an evocative depiction of the life—and death—that are drawn from our planet. Also on the program are works by Sofia Gubaidulina, Dan Becker, Julius Eastman, and others.
Workshops & Performances
3/12/24 - Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
3/13/24 at 6 pm - UCLA Bassoon Master Class, Los Angeles, CA
3/15/24 at 7:30 pm - Center for New Music, San Francisco, CA
3/16/24 at 7:30 pm - Sol Joseph Recital Hall
San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco, CA
Open to soloists, ensembles and composers, Longy’s Divergent Studio is a 13-day immersive new music experience focused on interdisciplinary tools and holistic creative practices for contemporary musicians. Workshops are guided by Longy’s resident new music ensemble loadbang with guest composers Chen Yi and Marti Epstein and Longy’s cutting-edge contemporary music faculty,
About
Hailed as "one of the sharpest executors of new-music currently on the scene" (WQXR) and an "intrepid bassoonist" (Time Out New York), Rachael Elliott explores compelling new directions as a bassoon soloist and chamber artist.
A versatile performer who is active in classical, new music, improvised and rock/pop settings, Rachael Elliott is best known as a founding member of the genre-bending new music group, Clogs.
COACHING CORNER
What are you yearning for?
And what’s holding you back from showing up at your best?
I coach musicians, creatives and others to help you embody your talents, harness your innate motivation and overcome your stumbling blocks. Through the coaching process, you’ll achieve greater clarity and deeper fulfillment as you move forward with confidence and purpose.
As coach, I create a deeply reflective space for you to unearth what’s most important. As you tune your awareness, you’ll experience shifts in understanding which allow you to face challenges and take action you never dreamed possible!
Coaching offers you a non-directive, confidential and transformative form of help. Curious to learn more?
Contact me to schedule a complimentary coaching session >
rachael [at] clogsmusic [dot] com
RACHAEL ELLIOTT • CERTIFIED COACH, ACC
Photo by Brent Harrewyn
licenses and affiliations
ACC, International Coaching Federation
Member, International Coaching Federation
Member, ICF New England
Certified Start With Heart Facilitator
EVENTS
June 2-8, 2024 • NewBassoon Institute at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Shocks & Aftershocks
with Jeffrey Lyman, Michael Harley, Lynn Hileman and Rachael Elliott
Ann Arbor, MI
info >
May 5, 2024 • Rushes Ensemble at Long Play Festival (Bang on a Can)
Irondale
85 S Oxford St in Fort Greene
Brooklyn, NY
info >
May 3, 2024 • EK Duo at ShapeShifter Lab
837 Union St
Brooklyn, NY
tickets & info >
April 30, 2024 at 6:30 PM • Music-COMP
with Anne Decker, TURNmusic
Elley-Long Music Center
Colchester, VT
info >
April 29, 2024 at 8 PM • Ensemble Uncaged
Pickman Concert Hall
Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
FREE
April 26, 2024 - EK Duo & Friends at Portico Brewing
101 South St, Somerville, MA
info >
April 26, 2024 - EK Duo at Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Chamber Music masterclass
Boston, MA
EK Duo in North Carolina
April 15, 2024 - School of Music, UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
2 pm - EK Duo recital in Watson Hall
April 17, 2024 - University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC
April 5-7, 2024 • Heliand • ZODIAC DUST with percussionist Thomas Kozumplik
April 5, 2024 at 7:30 pm - The Opera House at Enosburg Falls, Enosburg Falls, VT
tickets >
April 6, 2024 at 7 pm - York Street Meeting House, Lyndon, VT
tickets >
April 7, 2024 at 4 pm - Westford Music Series, Westford Common Hall, Westford, VT
April 3, 2024 at 5:30 pm • Bassoon class on contemporary bassoon techniques
New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA
March 12-16, 2024 • Tuple | Mappa Mundi with Lynn Hileman in California
March 12, 2024 at 1:20 pm - Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
March 13, 2024 at 6 pm - UCLA Bassoon Master Class, Los Angeles
March 15, 2024 at 7:30 pm - Center for New Music, San Francisco
tickets >
March 16, 2024 - 7:30 pm Recital at Sol Joseph Recital Hall, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco
March 5, 2024 at 8 PM • Ensemble Uncaged
Pickman Concert Hall
Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
FREE
February 18-26, 2024 • EK Duo in Texas and Louisiana
2/18/24 at 6 pm - EK Duo Recital in the Recital Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
2/19/24 at 2:30 pm - Bassoon masterclass at LSU
2/19/24 at 4 pm - EK Duo improvisation workshop with CNME new music ensemble at LSU
info >
2/21/24 - Recital at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, TX
2/22/24 - Recital and Improvisation workshop at University of Houston, Houston, TX
2/25/24 at 5 pm - Recital at the Performing Arts Center, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX
2/26/24 at 2 pm - Improvisation Workshop at the Music Department
February 1, 2024 • Radius Ensemble 25th Anniversary Celebration
The Lilypad
Cambridge, MA
January 27, 2024 • EK Duo Recital with Special Guests
with Jonathan Reddix, piano; Tyler James, cello; and Longy students
Pickman Hall, Longy School of Music
27 Garden St
Cambridge, MA
info >
December 23, 2023 at 1 pm • Elf in Concert
December 22, 2023 at 7 pm • Elf in Concert
Wang Theatre at the Boch Center
Boston, MA
info >
December 9-10, 2023 • Symphony New Hamphire
12/9 at 7:30 pm - Keefe Auditorium, Nashua, NH
12/10 at 3 pm - Concord City Auditorium, Concord, NH
December 5, 2023 at 8 pm • Harvard New Music Ensemble
Claire Chase, director
Featuring Terry Riley’s “In C” with students & faculty from Longy School of Music and Berklee School of Music
Paine Concert Hall, Harvard Music Building
3 Oxford St
Cambridge, MA
FREE CONCERT
info >
December 3, 2023 at 4 pm • Heliand
Plainfield Town Hall Opera House
Plainfield, VT
info >
December 2, 2023 at 7:30 pm • Heliand
Middlebury Community Music Center
Middlebury, VT
info >
November 30, 2023 at 7 pm • EK Duo
with Liza Knight, bassoon and Elise Hill, saxophone
with Matthew Elliott, vocals and guitar
York Street Meeting House
Lyndon, VT
tickets >
October 29, 2023 at 7:30 pm • EK Duo
Andrea Clearfield’s Halloween SZALON
Philadelphia, PA
SZALON info >
EK DUO • FALL TOUR
September 27, 2023 - Ithaca College
Recital and Pedalboard Playground
Ithaca, NY
September 30, 2023 - West Virginia University
Recital, Pedalboard Playground, Bassoon & Percussion Masterclass
Morgantown, WV
October 13, 2023 - Interview on WGXC 90.7 FM with Tom Roe
listen to the archived show > (our interview begins in the 2nd hour)
October 16, 2023 at 7 pm - Time and Space Limited
434 Columbia St
Hudson, NY
info >
October 19, 2023 - SUNY Fredonia
Recital, Entrepreneurship, Masterclass, Pedalboard Playground
Fredonia, NY
October 21, 2023 - Woodwind Summit 2023 at Crane School of Music
EK Duo Recital, Percussion masterclass, Improvisation class
Potsdam, NY
EK DUO • RESIDENCY AT ARTFARM
August 22-29, 2023 - Residency at Artfarm Recording, Accord, NY
HELIAND • SUMMER TOUR OF VERMONT
Friday, July 28, 2023
Summer Music at Grace Church
Grace Church, 215 Pleasant St, Sheldon, VTTuesday, August 1, 2023
House Concert
Rutland, VTWednesday, August 2, 2023
Otter Creek Music Festival
Salisbury Congregational Church, 853 Maple St, Salisbury, VTFriday, August 4, 2023
Catamount Arts
York Street Meeting House, 153 York St, Lyndon, VTSaturday, August 5, 2023
Frank Suchomel Memorial Arts Center
1231 Hagget Rd, Adamant, VTSunday, August 6, 2023
Rochester Chamber Music Society
Rochester Federated Church, Rochester, VT
EK DUO • RESIDENCY AT ARTFARM
July 18-21, 2023 - Artfarm Recording, Accord, NY
June 15-24, 2023 • Longy’s Divergent Studio
Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
Saturday, June 24 at 1 pm
Closing Concert
Pickman Hall at LongyThursday, June 22 at 8 pm
Divergent Quartet
Pickman Hall at Longyinfo >
June 11-17, 2023 • NewBassoon Institute at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
2023 Newbassoon institute PERFORMANCES
Saturday, June 17 at 12 pm
”Bassoon Rebellion” Closing Concert of chamber music and large ensemble pieces
Watkins Lecture Hall (Room 1350)
Earl V. Moore Building, 1100 Baits Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109Friday, June 16 at 4 pm
Bassoon Solos Concert, performed by NewBassoon Institute fellows
Watkins Lecture Hall (Room 1350)
Earl V. Moore Building, 1100 Baits Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109Thursday, June 15 at 11 am
13 bassoons performing Brad Balliett’s “Arboretum”, an outdoor, site-specific musical installation in which each bassoonist is next to, and playing music inspired by, various trees found in the Arb
Nichols Arboretum "Heathdale" area, near Washington Heights entrance
Ann Arbor, MIWednesday, June 14 at 8 pm
House concert in Temperance, MI
7 pm reception, 8 pm concert
featuring EK Duo, with bassoon music from the faculty & fellows of NewBassoon InstituteSunday, June 11 at 5 pm
NewBassoon Institute Opening Faculty Recital
Watkins Lecture Hall (Room 1350)
Earl V. Moore Building, 1100 Baits Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109Details >
May 6, 2023 at 7 PM • Otter Creek Music Festival’s Spring Benefit Concert
Heliand, with Atlantic Crossing and Claire Black
Salisbury Congregational Church, Salisbury, VT
April 29, 2023 at 8 PM • Radius Ensemble
Pickman Concert Hall
Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
April 29, 2023 at 3 PM • Longy Bassoon Studio Recital
Wolfinsohn Room
Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
FREE
April 24, 2023 at 8 PM • Ensemble Uncaged
Pickman Concert Hall
Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
FREE
Heliand presents April Vignettes
April 19-23, 2023
April 23, 2023 at 3 PM
United Community Church, UCC
1325 Main St
St. Johnsbury, VTApril 22, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Mountain Top Music
House Concert Series
Silver Lake, NHApril 21, 2023 at 7:30 PM
College Street Congregational Church
265 College St
Burlington, VermontApril 20, 2023 at 7:30 PM
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
8 Bishop St
St. Albans, VermontApril 19, 2023 at 11 AM (Eastern)
Live on Vermont Public Classical with Walter Parker
April 13, 2023 at 5 PM • NewBassoon Online Workshop
NewBassoon Masterclass
Performance opportunities available!
FREE
info >
April 12, 2023 at 3 PM • EK Duo livestream
#Daystreaming with Paper Beat Scissors
EK Duo performs live from the Artfarm, streamed everywhere
info >
April 2, 2023 at 4 PM • NewBassoon Online Workshop
NewBassoon Roundtable Discussion
FREE
info >
March 17, 2023 at 11 AM • Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Chamber music masterclass
BoCo at Berklee, Boston, MA
March 16, 2023 at 3 PM • Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
Chamber music masterclass
CRLS Public High School, Cambridge, MA
March 11, 2023 at 6 PM • EK Duo
EK Duo, David Yearwood & Friends
616 Congress St
Portland, ME
Sliding scale, pay as you wish
March 10, 2023 at 8 PM • EK Duo and nexbloom
The Lilypad
1353 Cambridge St
Cambridge, MA
Sliding scale, pay as you wish
info >
March 6, 2023 at 8 PM • Ensemble Uncaged
Pickman Concert Hall
Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
FREE
March 3, 2023 at 8 PM • Radius Ensemble
Pickman Concert Hall
Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
December 10-11, 2022 • Symphony New Hamphire
12/10 at 7:30 pm - Keefe Auditorium, Nashua, NH
12/11 at 3 pm - Concord City Auditorium, Concord, NH
December 1, 2022 at 8 PM • Ensemble Uncaged
Pickman Concert Hall
Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
November 19-20, 2022 • Heliand Presents “Vignettes”
11/19 at 3 pm - South Church, St. Johnsbury, VT
11/20 at 3 pm - House concert, Rochester, VT
info >
October 30, 2022 • EK Duo with Thomas Kozumplik
Andrea Clearfield SZALON
Salon Concert with In-Person and Livestream options
Philadelphia, PA
SZALON program & info >
September 27, 2022 • Michael Gordon’s “Rushes” with Rushes Ensemble
Crosstown Arts
Central Atrium, Crosstown Concourse
Memphis, TN
September 2022 • EK Duo Tour with Thomas Kozumplik
September 1, 2022 at 7:30 pm - Open Studio/Live Recording Event at Artfarm Recording, Accord, NY
September 2, 2022 at 7 pm - York Street Meeting House, Lyndon, VT
September 17, 2022 - East Haven, CT
September 23, 2022 - The Apohadion Theater, Portland, ME
September 24, 2022 at 3 pm - Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA
August 17-18, 2022 • Craftsbury Chamber Players
August 17, 2022 at 4 pm - Children’s/Mini concert, First Baptist Church, Burlington, VT
August 17, 2022 at 7:30 pm - Beethoven Septet, First Baptist Church, Burlington, VT
August 18, 2022 at 2 pm - Children’s/Mini concert, United Church of Christ, Greensboro, VT
August 18, 2022 at 7:30 pm - Beethoven Septet, Hardwick Town House, Hardwick, VT
info >
July 22-24, 2022 • Heliand Cool of the Day Tour
July 22, 2022 at 7 pm - York Street Meeting House, Lyndon, VT
July 23, 2022 at 3 pm - Artistree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, VT
July 24, 2022 at 4 pm - Rochester Chamber Music Society, Rochester Federated Church, Rochester, VT
info >
June 13-16, 2022 • Divergent Quintet
Longy’s Divergent Studio
Cambridge, MA
info >
June 4-11, 2022 • NewBassoon Workshop
hosted by Dark in the Song in collaboration with the National Music Festival
June 11, 2022 • Bassoon Rebellion
The Annual Bash combining NewBassoon Workshop and National Music Festival Bassoons
Chestertown, MDJune 9, 2022 • Arboretum
NewBassoon Workshop performance of Brad Balliett’s outdoor, site-specific work, “Arboretum”
Adkins Arboretum
Ridgely, MDJune 7, 2022 • Dark in the Song Bassoon Performance Competition
Final Round held LIVE during NewBassoon Workshop
Chestertown, MDJune 5, 2022 • NewBassoon Workshop Faculty Recital
Chestertown, MD
May 25, 2022 • Heliand
Noon Music in May
Stowe Community Church
Stowe, VT
Watch the rebroadcast >
May 8, 2022 • Ensemble Uncaged
Pickman Hall, Longy School of Music
Cambridge, MA
FREE
May 7, 2022 • Jenna Driscoll, percussion recital
performing excerpts from Marc Mellits’ “Tight Sweater”
Pickman Hall, Longy School of Music
Cambridge, MA
FREE
April 16, 2022 • Dark in the Song Virtual Masterclass
11:00 am Eastern, Zoom link shared with registered participants
FREE
Dark in the Song Bassoon Performance Competition
Preliminary Round Audition Tapes Due April 15
April 10, 2022 • Castle of our Skins
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Boston, MA
April 2, 2022 • Career Coaching Workshop
Longy School of Music
Cambridge, MA
April 1, 2022 • Dark in the Song Virtual Masterclass
4:00 pm Eastern, Zoom link shared with registered participants
March 26, 2022 • Career Coaching Workshop
Longy School of Music
Cambridge, MA
March 21, 2022 • Ensemble Uncaged
Pickman Hall, Longy School of Music
Cambridge, MA
March 8, 2022 • Ensemble Uncaged
Pickman Hall, Longy School of Music
Cambridge, MA
February 16, 2022 • Chamber Music Masterclass
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
Cambridge, MA
January 23, 2022 • Longy Reed Day
Faculty recital of chamber music by Sarah Gibson, Michael Gordon, Franz Krommer and others
Watch the Faculty Recital rebroadcast >
Faculty Recital Program (PDF)
December 31, 2021 • First Night North
Heliand Consort rings in the new year with a livestream trio performance from Bristol, VT
Watch the rebroadcast >
December 11-12, 2021 • Holiday Pops
Symphony New Hampshire
Nashua and Concord, NH
November 17, 2021 • Beethoven Septet Goes Modern
with Winsor Music and Sound Icon, featuring new works by Heather Stebbins and Diana Rodriguez
Goethe-Institut, Boston
info >
September 18, 2021 • Dreams and Illusions
solo faculty recital featuring new & recent music for bassoon by Brad Balliett, Fang Man, Gilda Lyons, Padma Newsome and Tawnie Olson
Pickman Hall, Longy School of Music
Cambridge, Massachusetts
PROGRAM
Caprice II, from Three Caprices by Brad Balliett
for solo bassoon
Lament (2017) by Fang Man
for solo bassoon
Chrysalis (2011) by Gilda Lyons
for soloist or ensemble of any complement
Fort Greene (2021)* by Padma Newsome
for bassoon and looper
Spider Kites (2021)* by Padma Newsome
for bassoon, organ and looper
Perfectly Logical (2021)*† by Tawnie Olson
for bassoon and delay
* commissioned and premiered by Rachael Elliott
† 2021 recipient of the International Double Reed Society's “50 for 50” commissioning grant
Watch Rachael’s Faculty Recital rebroadcast >
PREVIOUS SEASONS >
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The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton
Brassland
Polka the Elk
Music Starts From Silence
Polka the Elk
Music Starts From Silence
Fang Man’s “Lament” (2017), poem by Jie Guo, after Dalang’s Lament
Live from Longy, Sept. 18, 2021
Tawnie Olson’s “Perfectly Logical” (2021), commissioned and premiered by Rachael Elliott
2021 recipient of a "50 for 50" commissioning grant from the International Double Reed Society
Live from Longy, Sept. 18, 2021
Padma Newsome’s “Spider Kites” (2021) commissioned and premiered by Rachael Elliott
Live from Longy, Sept. 18, 2021
Padma Newsome’s “Fort Greene” (2021)
commissioned and premiered by Rachael Elliott
Live from Longy, Sept. 18, 2021
Dark in the Song performing “Milky Slicks” by Chiel Meijering. Utter bassoon madness of the best sort. (Is there any other sort?)
Padma Newsome’s “Polka the Elk” featuring Rachael Elliott and Janet Polk, bassoons and Bill Solomon, vibraphone & percussion
excerpt from Michael Gordon’s Rushes
Rushes Ensemble, world premiere at EMPAC
Padma Newsome’s Trunk Proud
Rachael Elliott with Collegium Musicum Jülich
Alex Kotch’s Techno Music for Bassoon and Electronica
premiered by Rachael Elliott
Cocodrillo, by Padma Newsome
Bassoon@Home2021
Allegro from Sonata 1, from Six Canonic Sonatas
by Georg Philipp Telemann
Bassoon@Home2021
Projects
The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton
Clogs
The Australian-American quartet features composer and multi-instrumentalist Padma Newsome, guitarist and composer Bryce Dessner, percussionist Thomas Kozumplik and bassoonist Rachael Elliott. With an artful blend of folk, classical and rock influences along with improvisation, Clogs has charted new territories in chamber music. The quartet has toured widely across the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia, with appearances ranging from the Bar Fly to the Barbican Centre, and points between.
EK Duo by Rowan Boyd
EK Duo
Bassoonist Rachael Elliott and percussionist Thomas Kozumplik are longtime collaborators and founding members of the alt-classical group, Clogs. They’ve performed on stages ranging from the Sydney Festival to BAM, from Big Ears to the Knitting Factory, from London Jazz Festival to Amoeba Music, and points between. EK Duo grew out of their shared passion for chamber music, improvisation, groove, and sound exploration. They perform haunting avant-chamber music with folkloric, minimalist and electronic elements colored by the steel drum, kalimba, reedy bassoon and more.
Heliand by Brent Harrewyn
Heliand
Our woodwind & piano outfit takes its name from the common sunflower, Helianthus, a cheery mainstay of summer gardens across our home state of Vermont. Heliand’s imaginative programs incorporate poetry, storytelling and an eclectic mélange of classical music, new music and song.
We play, we sing, we speak to our audiences. . . we believe music is rooted in joy and connection.
Dark in the Song at Casbah in Durham
Dark in the Song
This collective of five leading American bassoonists commissions and performs new music for bassoon ensemble. Each June we present the NewBassoon Workshop, and annual gathering of bassoonists who are keen to explore contemporary bassoon music and techniques, with outstanding guest artists from the field. The weeklong workshop is produced in partnership with National Music Festival and the wonderfully supportive community in and around Chestertown, Maryland. After a Covid-pause, we’re excited to resume the NewBassoon Workshop on June 5-11, 2022.
Rushes Ensemble by Michel Marang
Rushes Ensemble
The all-star septet is the leading interpreter of Michael Gordon’s “Rushes” which they premiered in 2012 at EMPAC in Troy, New York. Their premiere recording of the work was released in 2014 by Cantaloupe Records.
Rushes Ensemble has appeared throughout Europe and North America at venues including November Music, Korzo Theater and GLOW Festival in the Netherlands; Surround Festival in Brugge, Belgium; Vancouver New Music Festival; Duke Performances; Oz Arts in Nashville; Big Ears in Knoxville; and National Sawdust and Park Avenue Armory in New York.
Rushes Ensemble EPK > (Press Kit & Booking Info for Presenters)
Tuple by Paul Dandurand
Tuple
We like weird! Tuple (pronounced “tuh-pl” or “too-pl,” depending on whom you’re speaking with) is comprised of bassoonists Rachael Elliott and Lynn Hileman. Our debut album, Darker Things, was released by Bright Shiny Things in 2019.
Conversation with Tuple on BST >
study with rachael
I teach bassoon at the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Longy offers exceptional conservatory training in a nurturing and diverse community in the heart of Cambridge — next door to Harvard University and a stone’s throw from Boston.
Degrees offered include the Master of Music, Graduate Performance Diploma, and a Master of Music in Music Education.
Bassoonists participate in lessons, studio classes, reed-making and wind seminar. In addition to gigging in the Boston area, performance opportunities at Longy include Orchestra FLEX, the Du Bois Orchestra, Ensemble Uncaged, chamber music, improvisation, Jazz and Contemporary Music combos.
CURRENT COURSES
Bassoon lessons, studio and reed classes
Ensemble Uncaged co-direct with Andy Kozar
Winds and Brass Pedagogy co-teach with Hazel Davis
Chamber Music coaching
photo by Margaret Michael Photography
Take a free trial lesson >
Thinking about graduate studies at Longy?
I am happy to offer you a complimentary bassoon lesson (in person or over Zoom) and to answer your questions about studying at Longy.
Bassoon lessons in the Boston area:
I offer bassoon lessons to students and adults in the Boston area interested in private study. Contact me to set up a trial lesson, and I look forward to working with you.
Contact: rachael.elliott |at| longy.edu
LONGY Bassoon Days & REED Days
2022 LONGY REED DAY | January 23, 2022
LIVE-ONLINE 11 am - 4 pm Eastern
SPONSORED BY FORRESTS MUSIC
Watch: 2022 Faculty Recital
Faculty Recital Program (PDF)
2021 LONGY DOUBLE REED DAY | March 20, 2021
Watch: 2021 Faculty Recital [complete]
Faculty Recital Program (PDF)
Jump to selected pieces:
Chan Ji Kim - II. ‘Walking Dance’ from La Passeggiata for 2 bassoons. Nanci Belmont and Rachael Elliott, bassoons
Jessie Cox - Earth for 2 bassoons. Nanci Belmont and Rachael Elliott, bassoons
Padma Newsome - Cocodrillo arranged for bassoon, voice and looper by Rachael Elliott
Moondog (Louis Hardin) - Bells Are Ringing arranged for bassoon, voice and looper by Rachael Elliott
Mohamed Dainkeh - Faya, Faya, Faya arranged for oboe and 2 bassoons by Rachael Elliott. Kemp Jernigan, oboe; Nanci Belmont and Rachael Elliott, bassoons
2019 LONGY BASSOON DAY | April 13, 2019
Hosted by Nanci Belmont and Rachael Elliott, Bassoon Faculty
with Vanessa Breault Mulvey, Body Mapping Specialist
