Carl Rath—Bassoon, Principal

                Carl Rath has been with the OKC PHIL as Principal Bassoon since 1992, sharing the position his first year with the legendary Betty Johnson, then maintaining the solo position ever since. His performance path on bassoon started in the fifth grade after switching from trumpet.

                Rath finds numerous influences on his music career, including his mother, father, and brothers. In addition, Leonard Berstein’s Young People’s Concerts began when he was five years old and lasted until his first year of college. Those concerts were a tremendous influence and helped build his love of music. He also finds numerous composers he respects and enjoys playing, including Beethoven, Mozart, Mahler, and Tchaikovsky.

                The Oshkosh (WI) Symphony, Fox Valley (WI) Symphony, and 17 years as solo bassoon in the Classical Music Festival (Austria) orchestra have also played major parts in Rath’s performing life. Rath has been teaching at the Red Lodge Music Festival (MT) since 1980, however, he enjoys returning each season to play with his colleagues at the OKC PHIL, especially the woodwinds. 

                Rath earned the bachelor of Music Education (Distinction in Performance) from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, WI and the master’s of Arts in Bassoon Performance from the University of Denver Lamont School of Music. 

                Along with being a member of the OKC PHIL, Rath is a faculty member and teaches courses in Rock and Roll and The Beatles at the University of Oklahoma.