Bruce Winslow

(Bassoonist)

Mr. Winslow grew up in a very musical family. His parents were both professional musicians, and his sister and both his brothers played instruments. Mr. Winslow went to Washingtonville High School where he learned bassoon. Christopher Weait, member of the West Point Band, taught him in his Senior year.

Mr. Winslow attended SUNY at Fredonia and graduated with a Bachelors of Music degree. He played in the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, composition contest and started a bassoon quartet during his college years.

One year after college, Mr. Winslow auditioned for the West Point Band and was accepted. He played many concerts at Trophy Point. After West Point, Mr. Winslow played with the Rockland Suburban Symphony, Rockland Woodwind Quintet and The Greater Newburgh Orchestra. Through the years, he played in the Classic Choral Society under the direction of Janiece Kohler.

In the early 1980’s, the Orange County Music Educators Association Wind Ensemble was started, and Mr. Winslow has played with that group until today. The group changed its name to the New York Wind Symphony, under the direction of Richard Regan. With this group Mr. Winslow has played a music festival in France, Carnegie Hall, Julliard and the NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester.

A few years ago, Mr. Winslow started playing with the Maybrook Wind Ensemble. This group has greatly improved under the able direction of William Gillespie and William Greene. This past summer was very busy for them, playing 7 concerts including one in Lake George NY. Mr. Winslow also plays in the Hudson Valley Enchanted Winds Quartet made up of members from the Wind Ensemble. It is exciting to play orchestral pieces and original pieces for woodwind quartet.

Beside all the bassoon playing, during the years Mr. Winslow has been an organist/choir director, a member of Winslow III wedding band (keys, sax, bass), a member of Psalm Keepers Christian Band (electric bass) and a public-school music teacher. Currently Mr. Winslow plays piano for a senior group in Cornwall. 

Mr. Winslow professes that music is his life. He met his wife, Anna, through music and together have played many concerts together along with posting to Facebook uplifting singing duets during the COVID years. Music has kept him sane through many difficulties and he looks forward to many more experiences playing music.