Play It Forward – Katelyn Nguyen
Music that inspires one of 2024 All Classical Radio’s Youth Artist Ambassadors, Katelyn Nguyen.
Meet Katelyn Nguyen. A Bassoonist and one of All Classical Radio’s Youth Artist Ambassadors for 2024.
We recently asked Katelyn what pieces of music have inspired her to become the musician she is today. Here are a few of her selections.
Jean Françaix Bassoon Concerto
This piece is one of the many reasons why I love French classical music! It’s playful and showcases the technical and lyrical capabilities that the bassoon can achieve. Specifically in this recording, this artist has inspired me to explore the different timbres of tone you can create on the bassoon which has helped shape my concept of sound!
Florence Price Violin Concerto No.2
Listening to other instruments besides the one you play is essential for growing your musicianship. The violin has special expressive capabilities, and I think this piece showcases them well. Written a year before Price’s death, this piece is highly underrated and underperformed. Its melodies paint a picture of flourishing fields, decorated with woodwinds, brass, and harp to create a perfect spring-like setting.
Valerie Coleman “Tzigane”
Aside from solo and orchestral playing, I love playing chamber music. In this recording, the Imani Winds perfectly encapsulate Hungarian dance themes through rhythmic integrity. The Imani Winds have long been an inspiration for me because of their ability to uplift diverse works and communities. This song prominently features the bassoon, which is a huge plus!
Antonín Dvořák’s 6th Symphony
This is the very first symphony I have ever played when I joined the Portland Youth Philharmonic’s Conservatory Orchestra. I was very fortunate to play the principal part on a lovely symphony. It was truly exhilarating to play all the solos and I learned so much by being in a position of leadership!
Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique
The second movement of Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique holds a special place in my heart. Put simply, it is a dramatic symphony that tells the story of a young man blinded by love which ultimately leads to his death. The second movement is a sigh of relief before all chaos ensues in the following movements. I had the wonderful opportunity to play this symphony with the National Youth Orchestra in the summer of 2023 and although bassoon is tacet, I have fond memories of dancing along to the waltz in my head.
About Katelyn
Katelyn Nguyen, a bassoonist, is recent graduate of Parkrose High School. Katelyn first started playing the piano at 6 and then clarinet in the seventh grade. Later that year, she began playing the bassoon and currently studies with Carin Miller, Principal Bassoon of the Oregon Symphony. Katelyn has held the principal bassoon of the Portland Youth Philharmonic for two years and one year with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. Over her high school years, Katelyn has consistently participated in OMEA All-State and NAfME All-Northwest, and placed 1st bassoon for OSAA’s State Solo Contest as a junior.
Her recent notable achievements include playing for the National Youth Orchestra of the United States in the summer of 2023 and receiving the selective Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award from the music organization From The Top. Recently, Katelyn was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of the United States for the second time and will tour South America in the summer of 2024, among other great musicians. When not practicing the bassoon, Katelyn enjoys spending time with cats, hanging out with family and friends, and exploring various places in Oregon.