Stanford Woodwind Quintet

One of America's most distinguished ensembles, the Stanford Woodwind Quintet unites five virtuoso
performers, each renowned for solo work and chamber music collaboration. The group includes principal
musicians from the San Francisco and San Jose Opera Orchestras and outstanding Stanford University
faculty members. Reviewers have cited the palpable enthusiasm of these versatile players and the warm
audience rapport established by their informative commentary on the music. Quintet members are
Alexandra Hawley, flute, James Matheson, oboe, Mark Brandenburg, clarinet, Rufus Olivier, bassoon
and Lawrence Ragent, horn.

Alexandra Hawley

Hailed by The New York Times for her "extraordinary range of tone and color" and her "spontaneous,
perceptive musical sensitivity", Alexandra Hawley made her professional debut at the Concertgebouw
in Amsterdam followed by her New York debut in Carnegie Recital Hall. Since then she has performed
throughout the United States as both a soloist and in chamber music ensembles.

A member of the music department at Stanford University, Ms. Hawley is Founder and Artistic Director
of theAvedis Chamber Music Series and a founding member of the Stanford Woodwind Quintet. She
has recorded for the Naxos label, including a CD of Robert Muczynski's complete flute works with the
composer at the piano and with guest artist Jean-Pierre Rampal.

James Matheson

James Matheson has held the position of principal oboe with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra since 1962.
In addition he was a member of the San Francisco Symphony from 1962-1980. Previous to that he was
principal oboe in the Portland Symphony and toured with the Boston Pops under Arthur Fiedler. Matheson
has a Bachelor or Arts degree in music from San Francisco State University. He performs frequently in
chamber music ensembles and is a founding a member of the Stanford Woodwind Quintet. He teaches at
Stanford University.

Mark Brandenburg

Mark Brandenburg received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the Juilliard School of Music, and
includes Frealon Bibbins Jr., Bernard Portnoy, and Rosario Mazzeo among his teachers. A former member
of the San Francisco Symphony and the San Jose Symphony, he is currently principal clarinet in the Opera
San Jose Orchestra and the Midsummer Mozart Festival Orchestra. In addition, Mr. Brandenburg pursues
an active solo, chamber music and free-lance career, performing frequently with many of the Bay Area's
leading ensembles. He has taught at San Jose State University and at the San Francisco Conservatory of
Music, and is currently on the faculty at Stanford University and the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Rufus Olivier

Rufus Olivier has held the principal bassoon position in the San Francisco Opera Orchestra since 1980.
At the age of eighteen Olivier was selected to perform a concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
and later went on to play with that same orchestra. In 1977 he won a position with the Los Angeles
Chamber Orchestra under Neville Mariner, and the same month joined the San Francisco Symphony.
Olivier performs frequently as a soloist and as a member of the Midsummer Mozart Festival Orchestra
and Sinfonia Concertante. He teaches at Stanford University and is a founding member of the
Stanford Woodwind Quintet.

Lawrence Ragent

Lawrence Ragent, hornist, received his musical training at the New England Conservatory where
he graduated with honors. He is a member of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and the
S an Francisco Contemporary Music Players. He has also performed with the San Francisco Symphony,
the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and the Boston Symphony. Ragent has taught at Brown University
and the University of California at Santa Cruz and is currently on the faculty of Stanford University, where
he is also a member of the Stanford Woodwind Quintet. Ragent has performed as soloist with the
San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia San Francisco
and the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra.

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