Graham Sheen

Bassoonist, teacher, composer and arranger (b.1952).

Sheen graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he studied with Roger Birnstingl and Martin Gatt. He joined the The English Opera Group in 1973 as principal bassoon under the direction of Benjamin Britten. In 1975 he moved to the English Chamber Orchestra and in the following year became its principal bassoonist (a post he held until 1983).

In 1976, Sir Neville Marriner invited Sheen to join The Academy Of St. Martin-in-the-Fields as principal bassoonist, a position which he still holds to this day. He has also been the principal bassoonist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra since 1983.

Since 1979 he has been professor of bassoon at the Guildhall School of Music, London where he also directs the wind ensemble. Many of his past students now occupy positions in major orchestras both in Britain and Europe, and two have become professors at the Guildhall.

His published works include solo works for bassoon, chamber music for both winds and strings and three song cycles. He has made numerous arrangements for wind ensemble and three volumes of graded pieces for the bassoon.