PHILIP HILL - BASSOON

Philip Hill is Principal Bassoon of the West Texas Symphony and Bassoonist of West Texas Winds woodwind quintet. He earned his Master’s degree in Music Performance at the University of Arizona. During his time at UArizona, he studied with William Dietz, and he was bassoonist in the Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet and the Opera and Theater program. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at East Carolina University. There he studied the bassoon under Christopher Ulffers. He performed at times with the ECU Opera, which is known for performing a wide variety of works from the standards of Mozart to world premieres. As part of the North Carolina New Music Initiative, Philip participated in many premieres and new music projects. Most notable is his performance in the world premiere and recording of Travis Alford’s Loose Strands for chamber wind ensemble. He also made an appearance with the North Carolina Symphony. Philip toured Europe in 2010 as part of the Virginia Ambassadors of Music, then returned to Europe in 2017 as a member of the Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra. Philip has also performed with the Bay View Chamber Music Festival and Opera in The Ozarks Orchestra. He was a featured soloist with the West Texas Symphony in 2023, performing Weber's Bassoon Concerto in F Major, Op. 75.

Along with his performance history, Philip has been an active educator. He holds a small private teaching studio in the Permian Basin and was a resident artist at the University of Idaho, Youth Orchestras of Lubbock, and Midland Montessori School. He was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Texas Permian Basin, teaching bassoon and chamber music. His Instagram and YouTube pages, @Bassoonatlarge, include tutorials on reed making and music for TMEA auditions. Finally, he has been a frequent clinician for auditions, rehearsals, and masterclasses, and has hosted masterclasses for TMEA audition preparation with the help of his great colleagues in the West Texas Symphony, Cassatt in the Basin, and other guest artists across the country. 

Philip spends his free time cooking, playing frisbee, and doing anything related to soccer. He is a Financial Services Certified Professional® and helps businesses and families with insurance, investments, and succession.