Michael Kroth

Bassoon

Michael Kroth is associate professor of bassoon at the Michigan State University College of Music.

Kroth has earned a reputation as an excellent solo, chamber and orchestral musician, having performed in recitals and concerts throughout the United States and Germany. His performances of both serious and novel works for bassoon have been well received by audiences and critics, and he has been praised for his beautiful tone and expressive playing.

Kroth earned his Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance from Ithaca College studying with Edward Gobrecht. He continued his studies, receiving a Master of Music in Bassoon Performance from Temple University, where he studied with Bernard Garfield. He has also studied with Ryohei Nakagawa as a bassoon fellowship student at the Aspen Music Festival.

Prior to his appointment at MSU, Kroth was principal bassoon with the South Dakota Symphony and Dakota Wind Quintet. He has also held positions as principal bassoonist with the Air Force Academy Band and the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra. Former teaching positions include Augustana College (SD), the University of Sioux Falls, University of South Dakota, and The Colorado College.

Currently, he is principal bassoon with the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, a Faculty Artist at the Colorado College Summer Music Festival (Colorado Springs, CO), and second bassoon at the Peninsula Music Festival (Door County, WI). Kroth performs regularly with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and he has recently performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Trenton Symphony the Colorado Ballet, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Kroth has presented master classes at various colleges and universities including the Eastman School of Music and Ithaca College. His performances can be heard regularly on National Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, Minnesota Public Radio, and South Dakota Public Radio. He has released recordings on the Sound Works, Ultrasound, AFSC, and HCS labels.