Bassoon Masterclass: Basics of Audition and Performance Preparation

Please submit a video of your playing consisting of:

• One etude of your choice from either Weissenborn or Milde Scale Studies 
• Two contrasting solo works. You may choose a movement from a sonata or concerto, a work for bassoon and piano, or a work (or movement from a work) for solo bassoon.

Priority Audition Deadline: February 15, 2027
First round evaluation will take place shortly after this date. You will be notified of acceptance as soon as evaluations are complete. Auditions will be reviewed on a rolling basis after February 15. Please allow up to two weeks for a response to allow time for faculty evaluation. Auditions will be accepted until the program is full.

Recordings do not need to be completed in a single take. Each contrasting work or etude may be recorded separately, on different days or in different locations. Video editing is not permitted, and both hands must remain visible throughout each recording.

We use the platform Submittable to receive all auditions for the Summer Program (a universal platform utilized for exhibitions, contests and even university and job applications). It is very easy to use. You will be prompted to set up a free Submittable account using your email address. This account can be used for any future applications at Idyllwild Arts and beyond!

• Complete an online Camper application through CampInTouch.
• Once you have completed the Camper Application, your application will be reviewed within 5 days by a member of the Enrollment team. At this time, you will be charged the $50 application fee and receive an email with a link to the Submittable audition application for you to submit your audition. 
• Complete the Submittable audition application and provide an email address for your teacher recommendation form within Submittable.

 Idyllwild Arts cannot provide individual instruments or personal equipment. 

Please be sure to bring:

• Your personal instrument, marked with your name
• Reed making tools
• Your own folding music stand
• Metronome
• Blank music staff paper
• Any necessary accessories for your instrument

Required Attire:

• Casual dress for all concerts
• Collared shirt or blouse
• Long slacks or dresses/skirts below the knee

Estonian-born bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann belongs among the leading voices on his instrument, performing repertoire landmarks from across the entire scope of classical music and avant-garde as well as indulging the occasional foray into modern improvisation with some of the world’s most celebrated orchestras and conductors. As a soloist, Kuuskmann possesses an unmatched ability to draw rare expressiveness and brilliant timbre out of his reed, awarding him several bassoon concertos, written explicitly for Kuuskmann by A-list contemporary composers such as Erkki Sven Tüür, Christopher Theofanidis, Tõnu Kõrvits and David Chesky, among others. Regarding the quality of his artisanship on stage, The New York Times has gone as far as using the words “amazing” and “stunning” to describe his craft, confirming that Kuuskmann is one of the great bassoon virtuosos of our time. 

Kuuskmann picked up the bassoon at the age of 15, leaving behind his earlier preoccupations on piano and clarinet for the versatile lower range aerophone, which he would subsequently study at the Tallinn Music High School before pursuing more elaborate music education under full scholarship at Manhattan School of Music and Yale School of Music. From there, the reed-player built a career as a freelance musician, performing regularly with leading New York-based orchestras like the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra or the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.  For several years Kuuskmann was the principal bassoonist of the Estonian Festival Orchestra under Paavo Järvi and has had guest appearances as a principal bassoon with the Seoul Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Israel Camerata Jerusalem, among others.  Kuuskmann has recorded for numerous major Hollywood movies and video games such as Destiny, Zelda and World of Warcraft.  Currently Kuuskmann resides in Denver Colorado, where he holds a chair as Professor of Bassoon and Chamber Music at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music as well as bassoon and chamber music faculty at the Idyllwild Academy of the Arts.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about our summer programs