David Ross, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, attended Syracuse University’s College of Visual & Performing Arts from 1962 - 1966. There, he received his BMEd in 1966, later continuing his studies at Syracuse University, and completing a MMus in Bassoon Performance in 1982. David’s musical interests and prodigious talents are diverse, including bassoon, early music, opera, conducting, and music engraving. He helped found the Syracuse Early Music Ensemble in 1969. Ross joined the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra in 1970, where he occupied the 2nd Bassoon chair for over 40 years, for conductors Christopher Keene, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Fabio Mechetti, and Daniel Hege. While an Adjunct Professor at the SU School of Music, he established the SU Opera Workshop program in 1980, conducting a number of significant performances in his tenure, including “La Calisto”, “Pimpinone”, “The Night Bell”, “Christopher Sly”, and “The Happy Prince”. 

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David began working as a copyist/engraver for composers in the Central New York area in the 1960s, an endeavor which has flourished for more than six decades. His distinguished career in this field has expanded to include an impressive client list, including Theodore Presser, New York Philharmonic, New York City Opera, Libby Larsen, Jennifer Higdon, and Gunther Schuller. https://rossmusic.com/ 

 

In recent years, Ross has collaborated with Syracuse-native baritone, Gregory Sheppard to create the Syracuse Music Festival – an annual concert series of culturally and musically diverse performances, spotlighting the rich musical heritage and vital community of performers and composers in the Syracuse, NY area. https://www.festival-of-music.org/ 

 

David Ross and Crystal Godfrey LaPoint first crossed paths in the halls of Crouse College when she accompanied some Opera Workshop performances. LaPoint’s “Sonata for Bassoon & Piano” is dedicated to David, who premiered it with her at the piano for her graduate composition recital at SU. Their collaboration and friendship spans 50 years – LaPoint’s wedding gift to David and his wife Martha was “A Wedding Song” (now published by CGL Music).