Karl Vilcins

A Long Island native, bassoonist Karl Vilcins graduated from The Ohio State University in 2002 with a bachelor’s in music performance, studying with Christopher Weait. In 2004 he received his master’s in orchestral performance from the Manhattan School of Music, with Frank Morelli.  Since graduating, he has participated in the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Attergau Festival (Salzburg), where he worked with members of the Vienna Philharmonic.

From 2005 through 2011 Vilcins was principal bassoon of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra. During the 2011-12 season, he served as principal bassoon for the RPO. In January of 2014, he joined the faculty of Long Island University’s Post Campus as adjunct professor of bassoon.

For the past 5 years, he has enjoyed a steadily thriving career as a New York City freelance musician, playing with many groups including the Orchestra of St. Lukes, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, American Ballet Theater, and the American Composers Orchestra. In 2014 he was asked to join Orpheus on a two-week tour of Japan, playing in twelve of the nation’s most prestigious concert halls, including Tokyo’s Suntory Hall.