Boulder Bassoon Quartet Bios
Who would be crazy enough to do this?
Let's find out.
Who would be crazy enough to do this?
Let's find out.
Michael Christoph served as the Instructor of Bassoon at Metropolitan State University of Denver from 2010 until 2019, teaching bassoon as well as music theory labs and music appreciation. As a chamber musician, he enjoyed a variety of collaborations in Arizona and Colorado.
Ultimately unsuccessful at hiding his darker tendencies from the outside world, Mike is now ready to publicly admit his true nature: he has attended twenty Phish shows and spent more than 45 nights in the bottom of Grand Canyon.
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 Colorado Ballet Orchestra, 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 moving to Colorado in 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, “That So Suite”. The BBQ premiered the first movement of the work, “So Cliche”, 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 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 Lafayette, Colorado. He is a software developer in his other life, and hits the ski 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 share their house with their young and energetic collie mix Kora.
Kent occasionally posts thoughts about playing the bassoon on his site.
Brian roots for the Buffalo Bills and teaches bassoon lessons.
Brian's wife, Kaori Uno-Jack, is a bassoonist in the award-winning Antero Wind Quintet and has the nifty web address bassoon.uno.
Ethan Turner is a freelance bassoonist in his home state of Colorado. He began playing saxophone at age 11, bassoon at age 14, and has performed professionally in the Denver Metro area since age 17.
Ethan began studying with Dr. Yoshiyuki Ishikawa at the University of Colorado, where he later obtained his degree in Bassoon Performance. As a young musician, he played principal in the prestigious Denver Young Artists Orchestras.
Ethan toured Austria and Hungary under the baton of Adam Flatt, currently the conductor of Colorado Ballet, Tuscaloosa Symphony, the Newport Symphony in Oregon, and the Curtis Summerfest. While on tour, Ethan performed in some of Europe’s finest concert halls such as the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary.
As a saxophonist, he played in University of Colorado Jazz Combos during his studies. He also performed as principal bassoonist in the University of Colorado Opera.
Ethan earned his Certificate of Music Technology at CU Boulder where he studied audio engineering under recording engineer Kevin Harbison.
Awarded a research grant to study technological integration in live music performance, Ethan composed and performed a piece for saxophone, bassoon and electronics. The piece was performed in recital and as part of the University of Colorado’s new music concert series, Pendulum.
Currently, Ethan performs with various orchestras and chamber groups around Colorado in addition to the Boulder Bassoon Quartet.
Paul started in England and is known for his melodic approach to bass(oon)-playing, versatile and wide tenor vocal range, and musical eclecticism, exploring styles ranging from baroque to modern classical, and a little dabbling with pop and rock.
Sometimes called "the cute BBQ member", many of his compositions, including "Eleanor Rigby", rank among the most covered songs in history.
Like other members of the Quartet, Paul enjoys honors including two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an Academy Award, 18 Grammy Awards, an appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire and a knighthood for services to music.