Woodwind Area Faculty
Hailed as a ‘master pedagogue and researcher’ (The Double Reed), Doug Spaniol (he/him), is Professor of Music at Butler University where he teaches bassoon and related classes. At Butler, he has held a variety of other positions including Interim Associate Dean of the Jordan College of Fine Arts, Interim Chair of the School of Music, Assistant Chair of the School of Music, and Vice-Chair of the Faculty Senate. He also serves as Instructor of Bassoon at Interlochen Arts Camp each summer. He has twice been a visiting professor at The Ohio State University and previously served on the faculty at Valdosta State University.
In 1992, Dr. Spaniol was named a Marshall Scholar enabling him to attend the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, where he earned the Postgraduate Diploma in Performance. He has also earned a DMA degree from The Ohio State University as well as MM and BM degrees from the University of Illinois. His bassoon teachers include Christopher Weait, William Waterhouse, and E. Sanford Berry.
In 2011, Dr. Spaniol was named a Fulbright Scholar, leading him to teach at the University of York (UK) and further his research into Julius Weissenborn’s pedagogical bassoon works. His instructional book, The New Weissenborn Method for Bassoon (Hal Leonard), has been called "an invaluable addition to bassoon literature…a landmark in pedagogy" (Double Reed News). Volume II of The New Weissenborn Method (Hal Leonard) was described as a "testament to Spaniol’s insight and loving attention to detail in all things Weissenborn." (The Double Reed). His edition of Weissenborn’s Advanced Studies, op. 8, no 2 (Accolade Musikverlag) was noted as “a must buy for every bassoonist” (The Double Reed), largely because it makes available for the first time all 60 of these studies, including reconstructions of 10 previously lost etudes. Other recent scholarly work includes a new edition of Weissenborn’s complete works for bassoon and piano, which features three recently discovered works (Accolade Musikverlag). Current projects include a biography of legendary bassoonist/scholar/pedagogue William Waterhouse.
His bassoon students have enjoyed remarkable success, placing in the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition, the International Double Reed Society’s Young Artists Competition, and the Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition. Other competition successes have lead to concerto performances with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (two students), the Butler Symphony Orchestra (seven students), and Interlochen’s World Youth Symphony Orchestra (three students). His students have also performed on National Public Radio’s From the Top and won positions and/or performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra (Washington DC), Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia da Camera, and other professional ensembles.
Dr. Spaniol has presented masterclasses and workshops at the Royal Academy of Music (London), Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (Cardiff), the St. Petersburg (Russia) Conservatory, Indiana University, and many others. He frequently appears as a performer/presenter at conferences hosted by the International Double Reed Society (IDRS), College Music Society, Music for All, and other music education organizations. He also served for six years as the Bassoon Chair for the IDRS’s Fernand Gillet – Hugo Fox Competition.
As a performer, Dr.Spaniol has appeared as concerto soloist with Sinfonia da Camera, the St. Petersburg Classical Symphony Orchestra, Solisti St. Petersburg, the Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, and bands and orchestras at Butler and Interlochen. He can be heard on recordings on Albany, Capstone, Centaur, Innova, and Zephyr Records. As principal bassoonist of Sinfonia da Camera, Dr. Spaniol has toured England, been heard on NPR’s Performance Today, and appears on the Classical Music for Dummies CD. He has also performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Columbus (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra, and performed and/or recorded with popular artists such as The Rolling Stones, Art Garfunkel, Sandi Patty, and Michael Feinstein. He is now a proud original member of Rock E Bassoon, a rock band comprised of six electric bassoonists and a drummer. A Yamaha Performing Artist, Dr. Spaniol plays a Yamaha YFG-811 bassoon.
Click ‘Résumé’ below to learn more about the Bassoon Studio at Butler. Click ‘Curriculum Vitae’ to see my CV.
Professor Pamela Ajango is the Instructor of Oboe at Butler University, joining the faculty in 2013. She teaches oboe, chamber music, and instrumental techniques, and has served as interim area coordinator for Woodwinds. Professor Ajango has been a full-time freelance oboist for over 20 years. She is a member of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (2nd oboe/English horn), winning her tenured position in 2007. She also frequently serves as acting principal oboe of the ICO, and can be heard in that role on the ICO’s first recording release, Momentum 21. Professor Ajango is a studio musician, recording for music publishers Alfred, FJH, Hal Leonard, and many others. She can often be heard in the pit orchestras of visiting Broadway musicals, in solo and chamber music series, and with professional orchestras in and around Indiana.
Professor Ajango is a founding member of the Circle City Wind Quintet (2003-present), comprised of members of the Indianapolis Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. The quintet serves as music educators for the Symphony, performing at schools, community centers, retirement homes, and for corporations (Eli Lilly & Co., Roche, others). Professor Ajango has a keen interest in musical outreach and education; she has served as a teaching artist for the Manhattan School of Music, the New York Philharmonic, the Montana Summer Symphony, and Midori and Friends. Her faculty positions have included instructor of oboe at Anderson University, the University of Indianapolis, and Earlham College, visiting professor of oboe at the University of Virginia, and oboe studio assistant at her alma mater, the Manhattan School of Music. Professor Ajango has taught at many summer music programs, including Indiana University’s Summer Music Clinic, the Saarburg Festival (Germany), InterHarmony Festival (Italy), and Butler University’s oboe and woodwind camps. Most recently, she co-created “The Midwest Oboe Collective”, a chamber group comprised of oboe professors from around the Midwest. They were featured performers at the 2019 International Double Reed Society conference, and are currently planning many exciting oboe events in the near future (stay tuned)!
Professor Ajango is active in the International Double Reed Society, having performed and lectured at many conferences over the years. Her 2012 presentation titled “Creating and Maintaining a Successful Freelance Career” was well-received and has been referenced by other oboists in their teaching curriculum. She has performed at the yearly conferences as both a chamber and solo musician, twice premiering works which were written for her (The Empty Sky for solo oboe, by Butler professor and composer Frank Felice, and Variations for oboe, bassoon, and piano, by Matthew Bridgham). Professor Ajango was a guest clinician at the 2015 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, presenting a lecture/demonstration “Foundations for Successful Oboe Students”, which led to a published article for the SmartMusic blog, now used regularly by many school band and orchestra programs.
https://www.smartmusic.com/blog/author/pamela-ajango/
Besides performing and teaching, Professor Ajango is active in arts administration as well. She is on the orchestra committee of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, currently serving as its chairperson. She has served on this committee for many years, including three contract negotiation periods. She has worked as a contractor since 2001 for orchestra projects, as well as smaller ensembles. During her time in New York City, she was employed by organizations such as CultureFinder, Midori and Friends, and the New York Philharmonic, writing reports, grant proposals, and online content. She continues to help students with their writing and editing skills, and has been a featured speaker at lectures about business skills in the music workplace.
Professor Ajango was previously a full-time freelance oboist in New York City, where she performed with many esteemed ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the New Jersey Symphony, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and the Orpheus Chamber Ensemble, as well as for many Broadway productions and commercial recordings. She helped create the SONOS Chamber Orchestra of New York, serving as its first personnel manager and principal oboist, and was a featured soloist on its premiere concert. An Indianapolis native, Professor Ajango studied with Malcolm Smith, former principal oboist of the ISO, and her predecessor at Butler University. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Boston University, under the tutelage of Ralph Gomberg, former principal oboist of the Boston Symphony. Her master’s degree is from the Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Joseph Robinson, retired principal oboist of the New York Philharmonic. She completed doctoral work with Stephen Taylor at SUNY Stony Brook.
Michele Gingras joined the Butler faculty as Instructor of Clarinet in the fall of 2017.
Previously, she was Distinguished Professor of Clarinet at Miami University in Ohio, where she was named Crossen Hays Curry Distinguished Educator and Distinguished Scholar of the Graduate Faculty. She is the author of Clarinet Secrets, 2ndedition, she performed and taught masterclasses worldwide, released over a dozen CDs, and wrote 200 articles and reviews for numerous international publications. She performed with the Cincinnati Klezmer Project for 20 years and concertized with Duo2go and Miami3 throughout the US. Gingras is Past-Secretary of the International Clarinet Association and is an Artist Clinician for Buffet Crampon and Légère Reeds. She earned a Premier prix from the Quebec Music Conservatory in Montreal and a M.M. in clarinet performance at Northwestern University. Previously, she was Principal Clarinet with the Santiago Philharmonic Orchestra in Chile.
Web: www.michelegingras.com
YouTube:
Pagina d’album by Michele Mangani: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06pyDARr000
Klezmer Dance by Serban Nichifor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK3dGxxa2oY
Carnyx by Serban Nichifor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BkNxI1SJY0
Freilach von der Khupe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LKUtjoRVQA
Trina Gross joined the Butler faculty as Instructor of Clarinet in the fall of 2014. She currently is the second and e-flat clarinetist in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s clarinet section, a position she has held since 2002. Prior to joining the ISO, she was principal clarinetist of the Louisville and Augusta Symphony Orchestras. Ms. Gross has also held positions with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Orchestra. As an active chamber musician, she is a founding member of the Circle City Winds and performs frequently with other ensembles in Indianapolis. This summer 2024, Trina will participate in the Endless Mountain Music Festival in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania as principal clarinetist.
Ms. Gross performed Messiaen’s Quatour Pour la Fin du Temps with the Eroica Trio during Butler’s Arts Fest in April of 2016. She has also appeared as a soloist with the Butler Wind Ensemble in Scott McAllister’s Concerto Americana for Clarinet and Saxophone in the fall of 2015. Additionally, she recently performed the Weber Concertino with the Hochstein Alumni Orchestra in Rochester, NY in January of 2016. Ms. Gross has also appeared as soloist with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, the Indiana State University Wind Ensemble and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ms. Gross earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music. She received her Master of Music, Performance Certificate and Performer Diploma from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Her principal teachers include Eli Eban, James Campbell, Alfred Prinz, Charles Neidich and William Osseck. As a clarinet instructor, Ms. Gross has also served on the faculties of Indiana State University and the University of Indianapolis. She also maintains a private clarinet studio in her home.
Phil Pierick is a saxophonist, improviser, singer, and educator based in Chicago. Equally at home performing a range of music from Renaissance motets to 21st-century works, he has been described as “the Swiss Army knife of saxophonists.” As a soloist and member of the saxophone duo Ogni Suono, he has performed more than 130 recitals worldwide, including teaching engagements at many of America’s leading university music programs. Classically trained and experimentally minded, Phil is dedicated to championing the diverse body of vibrant works written for the saxophone in the past century. An emphatic advocate for music by living composers, Phil has commissioned more than twenty-five new works and presented over fifty premieres throughout Europe, North America, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore. Recent recording projects include an album of previously unreleased chamber music for saxophone by Percy Grainger (Naxos), an entry in the Stockhausen Verlag’s complete discography of Karlheinz Stockhausen, and SaxoVoce(New Focus), an album of new music composed for Ogni Suono. I CARE IF YOU LISTEN describes SaxoVoce as “a tour de force of new possibilities for saxophone and voice, providing a blueprint for the creation of future saxophone duo repertoire.” Phil regularly collaborates with pianist Kurt Eric Galván, presenting both classical repertoire and new commissions supported by New Music USA. An active concerto soloist, he has performed with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, University of Illinois’ Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra, the Slovenian Armed Forces Band, and Taiwan-based MIT.
The only prizewinner at both the Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition (2014) and the ISSAC International Saxophone Competition (2012), Phil is also a three-time prizewinner at the MTNA National Young Artist and Chamber Music Competitions (2009, 2011, 2012), and was named Vandoren Emerging Artist of 2011. He received Eastman School of Music’s 2014 Teaching Assistant Prize for chamber music instruction. Phil maintains a private studio in Chicago and aims to foster the internal curiosity and creativity of students, cultivating their individual musical interests and goals. Guest teaching has taken him to the Allerton Chamber Music Symposium, Illinois Summer Youth Music, and nearly fifty universities and conferences around the world. He was previously on faculty at the College of Wooster. His students have taken first prize in the MTNA National Chamber Music (2016, 2014) and 198th Army Band Small Ensemble (2015, 2013) competitions, and have been semi-finalists in the ISSAC International Saxophone Competition (2013).
Phil teaches as Adjunct Instructor of Saxophone at Butler University in Indianapolis. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music, where he served as teaching assistant to Chien-Kwan Lin and was awarded both the Performer’s Certificate and Arts Leadership Program Certificate. As a 2014-2015 Fulbright Scholar, he studied contemporary performance practice in Vienna with Lars Mlekusch, presenting contemporary music concerts in unexpected locations. He holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied with Debra Richtmeyer and held the position of saxophone teaching assistant. Phil also studied in Paris with Jean-Michel Goury as a recipient of the 2009 Frank Huntington Beebe Fund for Musicians. Phil is a Vandoren Performing Artist.