Ken Munday has performed as principal bassoonist with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra since 1976, as appointed by Sir Neville Marriner. He has appeared on the orchestra’s numerous recordings and has collaborated as soloist with all of the orchestra’s music directors.

A much sought-after chamber music performer, he has participated for several summers at the Marlboro Music Festival, Chamber Music Northwest, Festival Casals, as well as the Cascade Head, Santa Fe, and Idyllwild Arts Faculty chamber music series. Ken is a founding member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Winds, a new member of the ensemble L’eau and a frequent collaborator with colleagues and pianist/music director Jeffrey Kahane in chamber music performances. He regularly performs at the Oregon Bach Festival where he plays chamber music, appears as soloist, and serves as principal bassoonist with the Festival Orchestra.

Munday is a dedicated performer of contemporary music from all periods. He performed the world premier of the John Steinmetz Bassoon Concerto with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in 2003 and played the west coast premier of the Luciano Berio Sequenza for solo bassoon, a piece he recorded for Naxos records to be released with the only complete set of Berio’s Sequenzas later in 2005. He is a frequent performer with period instrument ensembles throughout the country, playing baroque (5 key) and classical (9 key) bassoon with Santa Fe Pro Musica, Context of Houston, and Musica Angelica.

As an active studio musician, Munday has played on hundreds of film scores written by most of the great film composers. He has also performed on John William’s’ recording of concert music and a CD featuring music for cello and orchestra featuring Yo Yo Ma.

Munday has taught bassoon at many colleges and universities throughout Southern California, and has given master classes throughout the United States. He began bassoon studies with Norman Herzberg, studied at California Institute of the Arts with Bill Douglas, and continued advanced studies with reed maker Lou Skinner and in Amsterdam with Brian Pollard of the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

photo: Michael Burke