What is the Bassoon Studio Like? 

The bassoon studio has a supportive and inclusive atmosphere and is a safe and positive space for each student. The bassoon students at GVSU are enthusiastic about learning and are welcoming and uplifting to their peers. We love hearing and talking about bassoon!

What does a week look like as a bassoon student at GVSU?

• A one-on-one bassoon lesson, focused on improving technique, expanding musical language, reed touch-ups, and preparing music for juries or recitals
• Studio class with the entire studio. Studio class is an opportunity for each student to perform in front of the studio, learn how to collaborate in chamber music or large ensembles
• Weekly Reed Class (if registered) to learn the process of making reeds from start to finish
• Rehearsals with one or more of GVSU's large ensembles, like the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band, New Music Ensemble, or Early Music Ensemble
• Occasional masterclasses with professional bassoonists
• Occasional Double Reed Days
• Attending Grand Rapids Symphony concerts to hear your teacher perform 

Auditions

Before auditioning, please feel free to contact Victoria Olson at [email protected] for a free lesson. It's a great opportunity to see if GVSU will be a good fit. It's also a chance to meet the rest of the bassoon studio, see the reed room and attend studio class or large ensemble rehearsal.

Bassoon audition repertoire: 

• Two contrasting movements (one lyrical and one technical) from a solo work
• One etude
• All major and minor scales
• Sight-reading

Our audition dates and music application form can be found at: https://www.gvsu.edu/mtd/music-audition-information-13.htm

Victoria Olson is the Principal Bassoon of the Grand Rapids Symphony.  She has held positions with Symphony in C, Missouri Symphony, and Colorado Mahlerfest. In addition, she has performed as guest principal with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and has performed with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, and more.

As a soloist, Victoria has appeared with the Concord Chamber Symphony where she performed the Gordon Jacob Concerto for Bassoon; and with the Longmont Symphony Orchestra where she performed the Mozart Bassoon Concerto.

An active educator, she is currently on faculty at Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College, and has held appointments as an Instructor at Interlochen Arts Academy Summer Institute, Bassoon Intensive.  She also maintains a private studio in downtown Grand Rapids.

Victoria has attended numerous festivals such as the Castleton Music Festival under the direction of Lorin Maazel; the National Music Festival; Interlochen Arts Academy, where she was awarded the prestigious Emerson Scholarship; and the Aspen Music Festival as a New Horizons Fellow.  Her primary teachers include Daniel Matsukawa, Nancy Goeres, and Eric Stomberg.