Called a “bassoon supergroup” by the American Music Center, Dark in the Song was formed in 2010 by five of the most dynamic and accomplished bassoon players and teachers in the U. S.: Rachael Elliott, Mike Harley, Lynn Hileman, Peter Kolkay, and Saxton Rose. We are committed to leading the development of an adventurous and diverse new body of repertoire for bassoon ensembles. Through commissioning, performing, recording arranging, educating audiences, and teaching a new generation of open-minded players, we seek to bring the bassoon and bassoon ensembles to the forefront of 21st century music making.
In 2016, Dark in the Song founded the NewBassoon Institute, a week-long summer workshop on contemporary bassoon literature, performance techniques, and pedagogy.