Duncan Henry, raised in Savage, Minnesota, is the principal bassoonist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He has played as a substitute bassoonist with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, and Chattanooga Symphony. He is an emerging artist at the Marlboro Music Festival and has attended the National Repertory Orchestra and Norfolk Chamber Music summer festivals.

As a performer, Duncan commissioned and premiered a work for bassoon and piano written by GRAMMY award-winning composer Jeff Scott titled “Veil of Solitude.” He has also transcribed and performed J.S. Bach’s second cello suite and Robert Schumann’s Dichterliebe, performed in Carnegie Hall, and toured the east coast, midwest, and Norway. On the saxophone, Duncan has played jazz, pop, and house music at county fairs, school events, and weddings in addition to recording a Christmas album for a bari sax trio.

As a composer, he has written songs, a tone poem, and chamber works that have seen premiere. His recent compositions and arrangements are focused on creating music for friends and loved ones to play and enjoy privately or in recitals.

Duncan received his master’s degree in bassoon performance at the University of Minnesota studying with Fei Xie. He previously obtained an Artist Certificate from the Aaron Copland School of Music studying with Frank Morelli and a bachelor’s degree studying with Mark Kelley and Thea Groth at St. Olaf College. Duncan has also received formative instruction from J. Christopher Marshall and Alice Anderson.

When he isn’t playing music, Duncan enjoys lifting weights, running, and cooking.