The DePaul double bass studio brings together the talent, experience and insight of four of Chicago's leading bass players. Rob Kassinger, Daniel Armstrong and Michael Hovnanian, all of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, comprise the classical bass teaching team. Highly acclaimed Chicago jazz bassist Kelly Sill brings his unique approach and deep understanding into improvisational skills and rhythm section study for jazz bass students. The result is a learning environment that reflects the Chicago music scene itself: world-class, diverse, hard-working and innovative.
Faculty
The Double Bass Studio
- The double bass studio has an all encompassing focus on the acquisition of classical technique. While much attention is paid to mastering orchestral excerpts, it is never to the exclusion of other musical forms. Because professional bass players are expected to be comfortable in a variety of styles and genres, preparing students for these varied demandsis the foundation of the bass studio. Graduates of the studio leave DePaul with the skill set to play in a wide variety of settings from a major symphony orchestra to a jazz club.
- Students in the studio take an orchestral repertoire class, taught by Michael Hovnanian, in which they play, study and discuss orchestral excerpts with each other and the instructor. The class meets once a week for two hours.
- Chicago is the ideal place to study due to the wealth of musical opportunities, both for listening and performing. Particularly for students of the bass, Chicago is an extraordinary place to live and learn.
Student/Alumni Accomplishments
- Current bass studio students, Brandon Mitchell and Jason Niehoff were selected for spots in Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
- Henry Chen received first place in the DePaul Concerto Competition with the Bottesini B minor concerto, and first honorable mention with Botesini’s grand duo. He will perform both these pieces during the 2008-2009 school year.
