Hailed as a “soloist, teacher, and force of nature” by The Double Reed (Journal of the International Double Reed Society), bassoonist Christin Schillinger (she/hers) specializes in the accessibility of the avant-garde, aiming to broaden the audience for both new music and bassoon. American Record Guide refers to her playing as “full of life and inspiration.”  “She plays [bassoon] with total mastery.” (Fanfare)
 
Schillinger works closely with living composers to dismantle the traditional canon and expand repertoire for bassoon. Her newest solo album, Bassoon Unbounded (2018), highlights works from the 21st Century written in her dedication. Her prior solo albums, Bassoon Transcended (2013) and Bassoon Surrounded (2009), produced for MSR Classics by Swineshead Productions, include world-premiere recordings of new works. Collaborative composers remark on her “natural interpretation” and “perfect musical choices.”
 
To facilitate the demands of 21st-century compositions, Schillinger researches reed-making consistency. Her 2016 book, Bassoon Reed Making (Indiana University Press) details current and historic trends in this field. Schillinger’s groundbreaking research extends to guest lectures and residencies throughout the United States and Europe.
 
Schillinger is an active advocate for womxn in the Art Music Industry, re-imagining a more inclusive, accessible, and inviting performance paradigm. She is the creator of fEMPOWER social networking platform for bassoonists who identify as womxn. This private site promotes womxn bassoonists and offers a safe, friendly place to share and discuss topics relevant to their community. A dynamic performer, she works closely with living composers to dismantle the traditional canon and make historically marginalized voices an accessible, included, and critical component of the repertoire. Most notably, her work with womxn composers Jenni Brandon and Adrienne Albert has helped redefine the instrument’s standard repertory.

Schillinger is currently on the faculties of Ithaca College and Cornell University in New York. Previously, she has held positions with Miami University, the University of Nevada, and various orchestras throughout the west. Schillinger received her degrees from Northwestern, Michigan State, and Arizona State Universities.

Recordings

Bassoon Unbounded
21st Century Works for Bassoon and Piano
MSR Classics / Swineshead Productions

Includes works by Adrienne Albert,  Geoffrey Burch,  Jenni Brandon,  Kyle Hovatter,
Damian Montano,  John Steinmetz,  & Michael Van Bebber

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Rehearsal Clip of Jenni Brandon's 'Double Helix'
Recorded in Ford Hall on the Campus of Ithaca College
Schillinger & Moss, 2017

Bassoon Transcended
Contemporary Music for Bassoon by Women
MSR Classics / Swineshead Productions

Includes works by Adrienne Albert, Elizabeth Alexander, Nancy Galbraith, Susan Kander, and Cindy McTee.

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Bassoon Surrounded
20th Century Music for Bassoon and Percussion
MSR Classics / Swineshead Productions


Includes works by Paul Chihara, Michael Isaacson, David Maslanka, Alexandre Ouzounoff, Verne Reynolds, Gerhard Samuel, and Dean Witten

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