Keith Buncke
Bassoon
Keith Buncke began his tenure as Principal Bassoon of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in July 2015, appointed by Music Director Riccardo Muti. He previously served for one season as Principal Bassoon of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, a position he won while still attending the Curtis Institute of Music.
Keith grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon. At the age of eleven, after a few years of studying the piano and cello, he heard Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 for the first time. With prominent parts for the winds, he was immediately struck by the sound of bassoon, inspiring him to start playing it. He went on to begin studies with Lyle Dockendorff and Mark Eubanks, the former Principal Bassoon of the Oregon Symphony. He continued his studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy and the Curtis Institute. He supplemented his education at the Pacific, Tanglewood, and Aspen music festivals, as well as Music Academy of the West.
Working with colleagues in the CSO and Chicago area, as well as artists like Mitsuko Uchida and Vadim Gluzman, Keith has extensively performed chamber music in Chicago and around the country at festivals like the Marlboro Music Festival and La Jolla Music Society. He has been a frequent guest artist and teacher at the Aspen Music Festival and Interlochen Academy and Camp, and has given masterclasses and recitals at universities across the country. He is an adjunct faculty at DePaul University. This is his first appearance at CMNW since a brief showing as a high schooler, playing alongside his former teacher.
When not on stage or at the reed desk/practice room, Keith enjoys walking and biking along Chicago’s lakefront, as well as going on trips for hiking and skiing.