Biography

Biography

Discography

Audio files

Bassoon stuff

Bruce Hammel, Associate Professor of Music, teaches bassoon at Virginia Commonwealth University and also serves as coordinator of undergraduate music theory.  His bassoon ensemble, the VCU BassMasters, has performed frequently in numerous venues in Virginia.  Dr. Hammel also oversees the music department's computer lab and uses various computer applications in his bassoon studio with his students, who join him in using the latest technology to arrange works for bassoon and/or double reed ensemble.  Some of these works have been published by International Opus.

"Bruce Hammel is a fine player.....without possessing any traits that would set him off from the world's greatest." - Steven E. Ritter, American Record Guide

Dr. Hammel's performance experience is extensive.  He has served as principal bassoonist with the Amarillo, Tallahassee, and Charlottesville symphonies, and frequently performs with the  Richmond Symphony Orchestra on bassoon and contra-bassoon.  Dr. Hammel has also been an active performer of chamber music and is a founding member of The Atlantic Winds, Chamber Players of Virginia Commonwealth University. Currents, the University of Richmond's new music ensemble, and the Albermarle Ensemble at the University of Virginia.  He can be heard on numerous recordings with the National Wind Players, a recording ensemble for Klavier records, and on the Centaur label with Currents.  Dr. Hammel recently traveled to Poland to record the Concertino for Bassoon and String Orchestra by Allan Blank with the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra.  As a soloist, Dr. Hammel performs regularly in recitals at the state, national, and international levels.  In 1992, he performed as a guest artist at the Shanghai Conservatory in China.

"The most immpresive thing about this CD, however, is the excellent playing of bassoonist Bruce Hammel......hats off to him for his superior playing!" - Ron Klimko, International Double Reed Society

A member of the Virginia Music Educators Association, the Music Teachers National Association, and the International Double Reed Society, Dr. Hammel teaches all levels of bassoon students.  He frequently has students performing in the All-Virginia Band and Orchestra, Virginia Band and Orchestra Director's District I and III bands, the Richmond Youth Symphony, and the Greater Richmond Youth Wind Ensemble.  Many of his students compete as soloists at the local and state levels.

"Most notable was the solo performance of Bruce Hammel, who demonstrated not only the wide range and flexibility of the bassoon, but also the instrument's unique melodic qualities." - Michael Flynn, Tallahassee Times

Dr. Hammel received his D.M. in Bassoon Performance at The Florida State University where he studied with William Winstead.  At The University of Michigan, (M.M. in Wind Instruments), his principal teacher was Hugh Cooper.  He earned a B.M.E. from the Crane School of Music and a B.A. in Biology from Hamilton College.

Dr. Hammel is married to Alice Hammel, flutist and music educator, and has two children, Hannah and Hollie. You may send e-mail to: bhammel@vcu.edu

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© 2002 Bruce Hammel. All Rights Reserved.
Site last updated: November 25, 2006

Bruce Hammel
Music Department - VCU
922 Park Ave.
Richmond VA 23227
Phone: (804) 828-4018