Faces of Music & Sound

Eryn Oft

Bassoon, U.S.
Winds Master Class
Opera and Concert Orchestra Residency

Eryn Oft is an outgoing and energetic young woman – both on and off the stage. She received her master of music degree from the Indiana School of Music in 2004 and has been working full-time traveling and performing with orchestras and her chamber ensemble since then. She has performed as a soloist with the Oregon Symphony, the Mount Hood Pops, and as principal bassoon with orchestras in Minorca, Spain, Mexico, and Indiana.

“A good friend of mine said I HAD to come to Banff,” says Eryn. So she did. “I wanted to be exposed to new ideas. At this stage in my career – I wanted to get input on the artistic side.” Working with master class faculty member Stéphane Lévesque and the other musicians in the program gave her just that: “The atmosphere [of the master classes] is the opposite of competitive. Everyone improved, and we all learned something from each other. Our class had musicians from age 17 to 31 – some of whom are working full-time orchestra jobs – they are all talented and have different styles.” Eryn brought repertoire to the master class program to prepare for auditions and performances with her ensemble. “I came with repertoire prepared in the way I wanted to play it. My colleagues offered perspective I had never thought of – in that way, the artistic side is really nurtured.”

Following the master class program, Eryn stayed in Banff to take part in the Opera and Concert Orchestra Residency – an equally great experience for her. “The Banff orchestra has one of the highest levels of integrity that I have been involved in for some time. Working with conductor Imre Palló was a delight, and I have been able to experiment with colours and textures that I have not in the past. This experience has allowed me to grow both as a musician and as an artist.”

Listen to a clip of Eryn performing Mozart’s Divertimento No. 3 with clarinetists Matthew Linton and Emily Steele at the 2005 Banff Summer Arts Festival.

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