Greg Sarchet now on faculty at Chicago College of Performing Arts

Lyric Opera of Chicago bassist Greg Sarchet joins his colleagues Andy Anderson  and Steve Lester as the double bass faculty of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.  Greg is a former Contrabass Conversations guest (you can hear him on episodes 19 and 35) and has contributed many news items, videos, and other material to doublebassblog.org since its inception.  In fact, I think that Greg left one of the very first comments ever on this blog, back when it was called Jason Heath’s Bass Page at jasonheath.blogspot.com!

Though the audition season is rapidly ticking away, the Chicago College of Performing Arts has extended their deadline for accepting double bass applications, so if you’re interested in studying in downtown Chicago (close to Orchestra Hall and the Civic Opera House, and right next to public transportation for the entire metro area) with players from the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Chicago Symphony, visit www.ccpa.roosevelt.edu for more information.

Here is some biographical information about Greg:

Greg Sarchet considers himself fortunate to have had an array of musical experiences and training, from studying with his first teacher, jazz luminary Rufus Reid, to receiving degrees from the Juilliard School (where he was a student of Michael Morgan), to hundreds of television/radio commercial recordings. His strong interest in researching the double bass and ongoing international exchange efforts were recognized by a 1996 Chicago Artists International Program award which sent him to the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria for performances, masterclasses, and archival research. These and other exchange activities have allowed him to build an extensive library of unpublished, out-of-print, and contemporary double bass works, as well as a first-hand understanding of Europe’s leading teaching methods.

Since 1986, he has been a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra. Additionally, he frequently serves as Principal Bass with Chicago Opera Theater and the Chicago Chamber Orchestra. He maintains a limited private studio for high school and adult pupils.

Briefly, his musical foundation was laid by his first double bass teachers, Rufus Reid and Todd Coolman. The musical values and priorities they, among others, instilled in him have led him to a wide variety of professional opportunities ranging from recordings with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller, Smashing Pumpkins, and hundreds of television and radio commercials.

Greg Sarchet maintains a double bass website called Bass Club Chicago.

Also, Check out the bass family tree from Greg’s site. It’s fascinating to trace the lineage of various bass players back to Simandl (and even earlier!).