Orford Winds Workshop

ORFORD WINDS WORKSHOP: OCTETS!​

The Orford Wind Workshop offers individual lessons, masterclasses, ensemble audition preparation, chamber music coachings and performances, as well as discussions on career development.

Bassoonist Stéphane Lévesque (Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, McGill University), oboist Nancy Ambrose King (University of Michigan), clarinetist James Campbell (solo artist, formerly Indiana University), and horn player Denise Tryon (Indiana University, formerly Philadelphia Orchestra) have built distinguished careers that span the full spectrum of musical life. Together, they will guide participants in an exploration of the rich Harmoniemusik repertoire — from the serenades and octets of Mozart and Beethoven to opera transcriptions and contemporary works written for this unique ensemble.

Stéphane Lévesque (Bassoon and coordinator, June 28 to July 11)
Born in Montreal, Stéphane Lévesque has held the position of principal bassoon with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) since September 1998. He has also held principal positions with the Saito Kinen Orchestra and the Mito Chamber Orchestra in Japan, as well as the Solti Orchestral Project at Carnegie Hall. Assistant Professor at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, Mr. Lévesque as been teaching at Orford Music Academy for over 20 years.

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James Campbell  (Clarinet, June 28 to July 4)
A Juno award winner and Order of Canada recipient, James Campbell has been called “Canada’s pre-eminent clarinetist and wind soloist, by the Toronto Star, “a national treasure” by the CBC and “one of the top half dozen clarinetists in the world today” by Fanfare Magazine. He has performed as soloist and chamber musician in over 35 countries with over 60 orchestras including the Boston Pops, the London Symphony and Philharmonic, and every major orchestra in Canada.

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Denyse Tryon  (Oboe, June 28 to July 4 )
Denise Tryon is Associate Professor of Horn at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University. Since 2019, she has served as fourth horn with the renowned American Horn Quartet. Previously, she was fourth horn of The Philadelphia Orchestra and held positions with the Detroit, Baltimore, Columbus, and New World Symphonies. She has taught at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (2018–2023) and at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore (2007–2019).

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Nancy Ambrose King  (Horn, July 5 to 11)
Nancy Ambrose King, oboe, is the first-prize winner of the Third New York International Competition for Solo Oboists, held in 1995. She has appeared as a soloist throughout the United States and abroad, performing with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic (Russia), Prague Chamber Orchestra, Janáček Philharmonic, Tokyo Chamber Orchestra, Puerto Rico Symphony, Orchestra of the Swan in Birmingham (England), Festival Internacional de Música in Buenos Aires, New York String Orchestra, Amarillo Symphony, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, and Sinfonia da Camera.

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In addition to the what is mentioned above, the workshops also include:

• Chamber music coachings
• Opportunities to participate in one or more student concerts
• Networking activities with fellow musicians and faculty members
• Accommodation in double occupancy and three meals per day
• Practice studios equipped with pianos (available from 7AM to 12AM)
• Housekeeping, laundry (for a fee), parking, and free WiFi
• Free tickets for concerts at Salle Gilles-Lefebvre (subject to availability)
• Opportunity to discover the beautiful landscapes of Parc national du Mont-Orford, the majestic Lake Memphremagog, and the tourist activities of the city of Magog