SOLOISTIAN PARSONS

Ian Parsons plays principal bassoon with the TWSO. Ian is also principal bassoonist for the Opus Chamber Orchestra.

Born in Southampton, England, in 1954, Ian studied Clarinet and Saxophone from an early age, taking up the Bassoon in his late teens. He graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in 1977, having studied Bassoon under William Waterhouse and Charles Cracknell. Whilst there he was awarded the Hiles Medal for Orchestral Playing and performed Webber’s Bassoon Concerto with the RNCM Orchestra. Ian then went on to play as a freelance Bassoonist with several prestigious orchestras including the BBC Northern Symphony and the Halle. He also played Bassoon with “Musica Nel Chiostro” a chamber orchestra formed in Italy and conducted by Jane Glover during her early musical career.

After a number of years serving as a Detective with the Hampshire Police Force, Ian returned to a career in music. Having gained a Post Graduate Certificate of Education, he took up the position of music teacher at a large secondary school in the south of England. Ian conducted the school orchestra and started two Big Bands, one of which shared the stage in the local theatre with Rosemary Squires the famous jazz singer.

In 1995, Ian took up a position as Woodwind Teacher for the Dorset Music Service. During this period he conducted a number of Jazz Orchestras and a Wind Band, taking them on tours around Europe and to Canada. He also conducted two combined Jazz Orchestras in the Royal Albert Hall in London. Ian continued working as a freelance musician with his own jazz quartet, and playing Bassoon with local orchestras including the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

Ian and his family emigrated to New Zealand in 2003 settling in the Waikato. During the past eight years, he has continued working as a freelance musician, forming his own jazz band “High Society Jazz”, as well as playing principal Bassoon for the Opus Chamber Orchestra and the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra. He performed the Bassoon Concerto in A Minor by J. W. Hertel in2005 with the TWSO. Ian has also worked with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Currently Ian teaches Woodwind at two local schools, directing a Jazz Band at one of them, and he teaches privately. In 2012, he will be doing some solo work with local orchestras.

Alongside his music, Ian enjoys fishing, swimming, walking and spending time with his family and friends.

Ian will perform the Mozart Basson Concerto with the TWSO in their coming Borodin 2 Concert later in 2012