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News Release

Last modified: Friday, February 23, 2007

Jacobs School welcomes renowned bassoonist William Ludwig to its faculty

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 23, 2007

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Adding to the already impressive roster of premier faculty at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, internationally renowned bassoon pedagogue William Ludwig will join its ranks in the fall of 2007.

Currently Carruth Professor of Bassoon at Louisiana State University, where he has been on faculty since 1985, principal bassoonist with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, bassoonist with the Timm Wind Quintet, director of the LSU Chamber Winds and principal bassoonist of the Brevard Music Center, Ludwig is more than in demand.

"The appointment of Bill Ludwig continues a tradition of excellence Indiana University has enjoyed in the field of woodwinds," said Gwyn Richards, dean of the IU Jacobs School of Music. "His artistry and pedagogical abilities immediately impressed our students and faculty. We join them in the school's anticipation of his arrival to Indiana this fall."

Woodwinds Department Chair Thomas Walsh, associate professor of saxophone and jazz studies, expressed particular excitement in welcoming Ludwig's range and depth of experience, both as a performer and a professor, to the department.

"Bill Ludwig is a veteran orchestral and chamber musician who is one of the foremost bassoon pedagogues in the United States," said Walsh. "He will join one of his own teachers, Arthur Weisberg, senior lecturer in bassoon here at IU, to create a team of bassoon professors that will attract the most talented bassoon students in the U.S. and from abroad."

Former teacher Weisberg agreed, "William Ludwig will be a very fine addition to the IU faculty. He is both an excellent performer and a teacher. I look forward to working with him, especially as he was a student of mine quite some time ago at Yale University."

Ludwig said that the prospect of performing and teaching at the Jacobs School has given him "new energy and a renewed sense of purpose for my role as a performer, teacher and mentor."

"Much of my enthusiasm for my move stems from the fact that bassoon students who will study with me also have unequalled ensemble, classroom, concert and library resources available to them," he continued. "Developing a talented and vibrant community of bassoonists in this environment is an exciting challenge. I bring my continued interest and fascination in the process of developing bassoonists to their fullest potential."

Although Ludwig will be teaching modern bassoon, he also has a deep interest in early music and considers Michael McCraw, director of IU's Early Music Institute, to be one of his musical heroes.

Concurrent with his LSU appointment, he was artist-in-residence at the State University of New York-Stony Brook Department of Music from 1989 to 1994. A recipient of several teaching awards, he has been sponsored in teaching residencies at the major conservatories of San Jose, Costa Rica (2001), Beijing (1994) and Cairo, Egypt (1982). He has also received numerous prizes and grants, including the 1987 McMahon Competition (2nd prize) and the 1991 and 2001 Louisiana Artist Fellowship.

In addition to presenting solo and chamber music recitals, as well as master classes, throughout the United States and Europe, Ludwig has transcribed works of Bach, Brahms, Beethoven and Prokofiev for the bassoon and has commissioned works for bassoon and jazz trio, bassoon and interactive computer, and solo bassoon. His recordings include a solo CD with Centaur Records and a series of wind quintet recordings for the Musical Heritage Society, as well as two CDs with Mark Records, Rhapsody in Bassoon and Bach for Bassoon.

Ludwig said, "I am deeply honored to be a part of the Jacobs School of Music with its tradition of excellence, world-class faculty and true leadership role in the world of music. For me and my wife, Dale, the move to Bloomington seems like a perfect fit. We're delighted."

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