Wilbur H. Simpson (December 6, 1917 in Angola, Indiana – June 17, 1997 in

Platte Lake, Michigan Platte may refer to: Geography United States * Platte, Minnesota, an unincorporated community * Platte, South Dakota, a city * Platte Canyon, Colorado * Platte City, Missouri * Platte Lake (disambiguation), also Lake Platte * Platte River (di ...

) was an American classical

bassoonist The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family, which plays in the tenor and bass ranges. It is composed of six pieces, and is usually made of wood. It is known for its distinctive tone color, wide range, versatility, and virtuos ...

and pedagogue. At Northwestern University, he studied with

Hugo Fox Hugo Fox (February 2, 1897 in South Whitley, Indiana – December 29, 1969 in South Whitley, Indiana) was an American classical bassoonist. He also designed and manufactured bassoons and oboes. Fox studied the bassoon with Adolph Weiss, a member ...

, principal bassoonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. During World War II, he served in the navy aboard the battleship . He was in the Navy Band that played aboard the during the Japanese Surrender. In 1946, he joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, first as contrabassoonist, then as second bassoon, where he remained until his retirement in the fall of 1991. He was awarded the Theodore Thomas Medal for his service to the CSO. He was an original member of the Chicago Symphony Woodwind Quintet, and later the Chicago Symphony Winds, which played throughout the United States and abroad. He was featured in a segment of the WNIB radio series marking the 100th anniversary of the CSO during 1990-91, along with Adrian Da Prato, a violinist who also had joined the orchestra in 1946. They were the two senior members of the orchestra. Well known as a teacher, he served as Professor of Bassoon at Northwestern University, and taught at DePaul University and the

Chicago Conservatory College The Chicago Conservatory College — not to be confused with The Music Conservatory of Chicago College of Performing Arts — was a music school specialized in advanced levels (or tertiary levels) of musical education based in Chicago, Illinois in ...

. Many of his former pupils now occupy positions in leading orchestras of the world. Among his students was

Susan Nigro Susan L. Nigro (born 1951) is an American contrabassoonist. Unlike most players of the instrument, Nigro's career is primarily as a solo recitalist and recording artist rather than an orchestral player. Life Nigro is a native of Chicago. She is ...

References

*Obituaries: Charles WP Cracknell, William S. Buzzard, Wilbur H. Simpson (1997). Journal of the International Double Reed Society, 25: pp. 65.

References

Further reading