Biography
Matthew Karr (bassoon) has been the Principal Bassoonist of the Louisville Orchestra since 1979. Matthew received his B.M degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (1978), receiving honors as Best Orchestral Performer of his graduating class, and induction into Phi Kappa Lambda, (Honor Society for graduating seniors). Upon graduation, Matthew spent a year in Chicago as Co-Principal bassoon of the Chicago Civic Orchestra (training Orchestra for the Chicago Symphony). In April of 1979, Matthew won the Principal Bassoon job with the Louisville Orchestra.
Matthew spent a year at S.U.N.Y. at Stonybrook (New York) and earned his M.M. degree while on leave from the L.O. in 1982-83. Matthew has performed as Associate Principal Bassoon with the Houston Symphony during the 2000-2001 Season, and been an active Chamber musician. His credits include Kentucky Center Chamber Players, Marlboro Music Festival, Tanglewood Festival, Ronen Ensemble, Suzuki and Friends, Music Academy of the West and Interlochen Arts Camp. Matthew is very proud of the many works that he Premiered in the United States, including Michael Daugherty's Hells Angels and Simon Bainbridge's Ad Ora Incerta. Matthew made a compact disc, in 1997, A Bassoonists Voice on the Centaur label, that is in its third pressing.
