| Biography | Margaret Cookhorn joined the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) immediately after finishing her studies at the RNCM. She currently performs with them on bassoon and contrabassoon and is also a member of Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG), in which she has the opportunity to work with composers, sometimes offering suggestions as to what techniques would be suitable for the bassoon. She has lectured on the Contrabassoon for the British Double Reed Society and for the CBSO in the context of its 'Centre Stage' recital series.
Margaret performances with the CBSO and BCMG (including at the BBC Proms) are broadcast regularly by BBC Radio 3. She has also recorded for BCMG (NMC Records). Other prominent performances include the world premiere of Colin Matthews' solo works for contrabassoon (also broadcast on BBC Radio 3) in 2004 and the world premiere of John Woolrich's Contrabassoon Concerto with the CBSO as part of IDRS 2009.
Alongside her work at the Conservatoire, Margaret coaches wind sections in amateur orchestras across the West Midlands, as well as in the CBSO Youth Orchestra. Her membership of the CBSO and BCMG has also given her the opportunity to work with children in schools and other youth orchestras/ensembles. In addition to performing on bassoon and contrabassoon, Margaret plays the Heckelphone, an instrument of which there are only a handful in the UK! |