Barrick Stees
Barrick Stees has been assistant principal bassoon of The Cleveland Orchestra since 2001. Mr. Stees received a bachelor’s degree and performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with K. David Van Hoesen. Mr. Stees has concertized extensively in Europe, South America, and Asia, including a solo tour of Hong Kong and China. He has given recitals throughout the United States. His solo appearances include performances with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and the Brevard Music Center Orchestra.
Mr. Stees teaches at the Cleveland Institute of Music and has taught at Michigan State University, the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the Brevard Music Center. He was previously principal bassoon with the Hartford Symphony and has played with the symphony orchestras of Pittsburgh and Detroit as well as with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
His first compact disc recording, The Romantic Bassoon, with pianist Philip Hosford, was released in 1994. His second recording, Opera Fantasies and Paraphrases, a compact disc of music from the opera for Claves Records, was released in 1999. His latest recording, Nostalgica, comprising music he commissioned for bassoon and string quartet by composers Charles Ruggiero, Daniel McCarthy, and Miguel del Aguila, represents the culmination of his efforts in commissioning new music for the bassoon.