Kent Hurd has enjoyed a variety of experiences as a bassoonist, performing in the metro area of Phoenix, Arizona, and more recently in the Front Range of Colorado. He is currently Co-Principal Bassoon of the Boulder Chamber Orchestra. Other appearances in the Front Range of Colorado include the MahlerFest Orchestra, the Denver Philharmonic and the Longmont Symphony. He held the position of Co-Principal Bassoon with the West Valley Symphony in Phoenix until 2003. He also participated in a variety of freelance opportunities in Phoenix, including appearances with such orchestras as the Phoenix Symphony and the Arizona Opera, as well as with a variety of chamber ensembles for concerts, holidays and weddings.
In addition to exploring the solo repertoire for the bassoon, he has composed his own works for it, including a bassoon trio, “Excursions”, premiered at Arizona State University, a solo work for bassoon with piano accompaniment, “Three Psalms”, and most recently a work specifically for the Boulder Bassoon Quartet, “So Cliche”. The BBQ premiered the work at the IDRS convention in 2011. It is now available for purchase at TrevCo Music.
Also a proficient pianist, Kent has been seen occasionally performing at the piano, including two solo recitals in the mountains of Ouray County in southwestern Colorado. He was also appreciated for his piano skills within the Arizona State bassoon studio, where he was often pressed into accompaniment duties at discount rates. Kent has therefore had the unusual experience of performing both as the soloist and the accompanist of some of the standard bassoon solo works.
Kent is looking forward to a full-time position with a symphony orchestra. He is currently a master of music performance candidate, having studied with Dr. Yoshiyuki Ishikawa. He received his bachelor’s degree in music performance from Arizona State University in 1997, where he studied with Dr. Jeffrey Lyman, and Jack Rausch. He attended Eastern Music Festival in the summer of 1992, where he studied with Marlene Mazzuca. He has also studied privately with Eric Ludwig.
Kent resides in Boulder, Colorado. He is an avid skier, and loves to hit the slopes whenever time and finances allow. He lives with his wife, Mindy, who is a trained elementary school teacher, but spends her time coaching baton twirling, these days. They have two dogs; Abbey, a beagle mix, and Ashley, a toy rat terrier. Their small apartment is a kaleidoscope of reed tools, bassoon music, and dog toys.
Kent occasionally posts thoughts about playing the bassoon on his site.