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Principal Bassoon David McGill Resigns from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Accepts Teaching Position at Northwestern University

David McGill, principal bassoon of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, has resigned his position with the orchestra in order to accept a full-time teaching position at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music.

McGill, who was principal bassoon for 17 years, has appeared frequently as soloist with the orchestra. He will appear as soloist one more time before his resignation becomes effective in August. McGill will play Mozart's Bassoon Concerto with the CSO at Symphony Center on June 12, 13, 14 and 17 with Music Director Riccardo Muti conducting. More information about this program is available at cso.org.

"Teaching has always been a great love of mine, and the rigors of performing have precluded me pursuing this noble profession as much as I would like," McGill said in a statement released by the CSO. "I have learned so much from Maestro Muti and the great musicians of this incredible Orchestra, and thank them all for 17 years of unforgettable music making."

McGill was appointed principal bassoon in 1997 by then-music director Daniel Barenboim. He came to Chicago from the Cleveland Orchestra, where he had served as principal bassoon since 1988. Prior to that, McGill was principal bassoon of the Toronto Symphony (1985 to 1988) and the Tulsa Philharmonic (1980-81).

McGill received the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra for his recording of Richard Strauss's Duett-Concertino for Clarinet and Bassoon (with Larry Combs) from the CSO's recording of Strauss's wind concertos with Daniel Barenboim conducting.

In addition to his busy schedule as a performer, McGill has also held teaching posts at the University of Toronto, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University, DePaul University and Roosevelt University.

Clearly, McGill will bring quite an extensive background as both a performer and teacher with him to Northwestern when he joins the faculty there.

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