Damian Montano enjoys a dual musical career as both bassoonist and composer. As an instrumentalist, Damian has performed with numerous other Southern California Orchestras, including the LA Philharmonic, LA Opera and San Diego Symphony. He was featured as soloist with the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra and the University of Southern California’s Wind Symphony, subsequent to winning each ensemble’s Concerto Competition with a work that he composed. He has also been featured twice as soloist in performances of his own Concerto for Piccolo and Contrabassoon. As a recording musician, Damian has performed on the scores to films such as Alice in Wonderland, Spider-Man 3, Hancock, Bolt and The Tale of Despereaux.

As a composer, Damian has worked on projects ranging from scoring for television and feature film, to writing music for live theater. He has been funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and has been commissioned by ensembles throughout the country, including the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, the Albuquerque Youth Symphony and Chamber Music Palisades. Additionally his works have been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra; the Long Beach, Santa Monica, Culver City and University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana Wind symphonies; the Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.

Damian graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree from Rice University and received his Master of Music degree at the University of Southern California. His principal bassoon teachers include Benjamin Kamins and Rose Corrigan. Damian joined LACO during the 2005-06 season.

http://www.damianmontano.com/

photo Michael Burke