Fraser Gordon - Violin/Bassoon

Fraser Gordon is an EYO alumni whose journey has taken them from the 2nd violins, via the bassoon section, all the way to the contrabassoon chair of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and recently returning as a Tutor for EYO!

When were you in EYO, and what did you play?

“I was in EYO in 1999, including the famous tour to Italy, playing 2nd violins. That autumn I went to study at the RSAMD (now the RCS) in Glasgow. After that, for a few years, I sat in the bassoon section and had a totally great time!”

And there was one instrument they were particularly keen to get their hands on…

“I remember the bassoon tutor Janet phoning and tentatively suggesting that I might like to play contrabassoon (somebody had to?). I think she was overwhelmed by my positive response — I’d always wanted to get my hands on one…”

What did EYO mean to you?

“EYO introduced me to lots and lots of new friends and players I would go on to study with and play chamber music with. It helped me grow as a musician. The standard was higher than anything else I’d done before, and the repertoire was harder, and more thrilling.”

Today, Fraser is the Contrabassoon Player with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Head of Woodwind at the Royal Academy of Music - a career that was, in part, inspired by those early EYO experiences.

Fraser’s advice to young musicians?

“Playing music is fun, but can be very difficult - keep going through the hard bits (find fun ways to practice). It gets easier, and the higher the level of your playing, the more fun and rewarding the music you get to play will be.”