Gordon Skinner

Bassoon Teacher

Gordon Skinner studied bassoon at Auckland University and gained the Executant Diploma in Music. Later studies were with Leonard Sharrow at Indiana University (USA).

A former Prinicipal Bassoon of the NZSO Gordon Skinner’s later career took place in Australia where he was appointed Lecturer in Bassoon at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. His performance background includes most of the symphonic repertoire, solo work, chamber music, opera and ballet and studio recordings. He was a member of the Sydney Wind Quintet and a regular guest artist with the Australia Ensemble. Free-lance work included working as a guest with most Australia Symphony Orchestras at one time or another.

As a teacher several of Gordon Skinner’s students have gone on to successful full-time careers in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Europe. In 1975 he took time out from playing in the NZSO to become Tutor-in-Charge of the newly created Wellington Polytechnic full-time instrumental course, which was eventually integrated into the NZ School of Music.

music@waikato.ac.nz