Experiences with Ron Bishop?

[CJ Krause]

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[Paul S]

Ron is a first class act all the way. He is truly a very nice gentleman and extremely pleasant in every situation I have seen him in.

I have seen Ron work with various students and can say that he is easy going, insightful, and extremely knowledgeable as well as being able to easily share his decades of experience to anyone lucky enough to be around him. I know I’ve come away knowing more following each time I have had the chance to talk with or listen to him discuss any topic.

I also had a chance to listen to some of his current Oberlin students play in a Masters Class with Øystein Baadsvik last Fall and was impressed with them as well.

You have a tough decision as there are a lot of super tuba programs here in Ohio, all with excellent teachers. I think it is wise that you have Oberlin on your list.

[ThomasP]

Where else is on your list?

[Dylan King]

I remember hearing that on was one of Alan Baer's teachers. After the recital I saw recently, it appears he would be a good choice. The Clevleland recording of Petrushka and The Right of Spring with Boulez is my favorite all time. I do believe it was Ron Bishop playing 1st tuba on that one.

[Mark E. Chachich]

I took one lesson from him in the 1980's before I changed careers. He was a real musician and a gentleman. In the lesson he gave me some advice about music that I still use to this day, in other words it was a worthwhile lesson. And yes, I have listened to Mr. Bishop for many years and I think that he is fantastic musician (good thing he plays tuba).

good luck in your search,
Mark

[Aubrey Foard]

It's pretty difficult to find a teacher who's as good as Ron Bishop, let alone one who has had this much playing experience. If you really are interested in applying yourself as an orchestral player, you will learn oodles from this man. Someone pointed out to me once that nowhere else will you find someone who will tell you how George Szell, Lorin Maazel, Dohnanyi, Ashkenazy, and Boulez all interpret differently the same passage in one piece. Also, you would be close to Cleveland Orchestra, one of the best orchestras in the world. Another great thing is that there's no guesswork involved in how he plays... the orchestra has a very long discography. Some well-known highlights of Mr. Bishop's career:

Romeo and Juliet (Prokofiev)

Rite of Spring/Petrouchka

Pictures

Song of the Nightingale (Stravinsky)

Mahler 7

Ring Highlights (Wagner)

Webern

Mahler 6

Scherezade

Shostakovich 15

[Michael Roest]

I am studying with Ron Bishop at Oberlin right now. I posted something similar to this a while ago.

Ron Bishop is the man to study with if you are looking for fine orchestral training. His knowledge of orchestral playing goes far beyond many. As the tubist in the Cleveland Orchestra since 1967, he will leave you with stories from when he worked with Szell, Maazel, Boules, and such.

As far is his teaching style -"if you want it he will teach it." Ron Bishop is a well respected student of Arnold Jacobs and shows that he is a former student of Jacobs through his teaching. A student of Mr. Bishop, Alan Baer, suggested that I work with Ron Bishop. Fantastic decision.

As Aubrey posted, if you want a good taste of his orchestral playing listen to any of those recordings or just listen to anything with the Cleveland Orchestra after 1967.

If you want to talk about Oberlin or play some duets, email me. I can show you around.
Good luck on your school and teacher hunt!

-Michael
Michael.Roest@oberlin.edu
www.oberlin.edu

[Mike]

Thank you so very much for posting this article about one of my heros, Ron Bishop. He is the consumate orchestral musician on tuba. He has given those of us who make our livings playing in orchestras a legacy to admire and emulate. As if that were not enough he is also a true gentleman.

Mike Sanders, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

[Tim Olt]

Greetings,

I have had the wonderful fortune to work with Mr. Bishop last year for my Octubafest, and he is returning this year for my festival. He is indeed a world-class teacher, player, and above all else, gentleman. You will be in wonderful hands indeed if you get to work with him.

Tim