Year of Bassoon with the Genovia Quartet

Genovia at Old Cleeve School

For the past week, Jackdaws have been on the road with the Genovia Bassoon Quartet visiting schools and music groups across the whole of Somerset. The four Bassoonists, who are based in Glasgow and have travelled to Somerset for the project, are giving a whole-school concert at every school, and workshops for smaller groups of instrumental players. Players from the workshops will all come together in March and perform en masse at the Grand Finale Concert alongside Genovia at Frome’s Cheese & Grain.

6 days, 19 concerts in schools, over 200 children in workshops, and 4 bassoons!

Genovia Quartet said, “We are so grateful to Jackdaws for inviting us to be a part of The Year of Bassoon 2020. We have been fortunate to work with hundreds of talented young musicians from groups of 30 ukeleles to string sections, brass bands and percussion ensembles. It has been a real privilege to introduce the bassoon to so many through interactive music making and fun activities, and we hope we have inspired them as much as they have us.

“We are so looking forward to returning on 24 March for our Grand Finale Performance at the Cheese & Grain! Thank you to Jackdaws and all of Somerset for making Genovia Quartet feel so welcome!”

The Genovia Bassoon QuartetJackdaws award-winning project, The Year of… is now in its eighth year, and introduces children to a different instrument or chamber ensemble each time. Starting in 2012 with the Carducci String Quartet, we have also worked with percussionist Joby Burgess, the Onyx Brass Quintet, the Eden Stell Guitar Duo and international recorder virtuosos Anna Stegmann and Tabea Debus.

In 2017, the project was named the Best Classical Music Education Initiative by the Music Teacher Awards for Excellence.

The Genovia Quartet is a dynamic young bassoon ensemble formed of four graduates of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. From their first performance together in 2015, this quartet has had a strong musical bond and close friendship which translates into exciting and spirited performances. Their desire to share their fun together with their audiences is obvious and is helping the group establish its reputation both in the UK and abroad.

Sound Foundation Somerset LogoThe Year of Bassoon is sponsored by Sound Foundation Somerset.