School of Music bassoon instructor Paul Rafanelli, a member of the Seattle Symphony since 1992, was recently named the inaugural holder of the William & Sarah Ovens Bassoon, a new endowed chair that honors devoted Symphony supporters William and Sarah Ovens.
“Endowed chairs are essential to sustaining the artistic excellence and distinctive sound of a great orchestra, and the William & Sarah Ovens Bassoon strengthens the musical foundation of the Seattle Symphony,” said Music Director Xian Zhang in an announcement of the appointment. “Honoring Paul through this chair celebrates his extraordinary artistry while ensuring the highest level of musical performance for generations to come.”
A member of the Seattle Symphony since 1992, Rafanelli has long been a cornerstone of the orchestra’s woodwind section and a familiar face to Symphony audiences. A devoted teacher, he served from 1998 to 2014 on the faculty of the University of Puget Sound. In October of 2021 he joined the faculty of the University of Washington as artist in residence, leading the UW bassoon studio. Born and raised in Seattle, Paul is a School of Music alumnus who also studied at the Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School.
Congratulations, Paul!