Rebecca Noreen

Acting Second Bassoon

Year you joined the ECSO: 1987

Rebecca Noreen received first her B.A. and B.E. from Western Washington University where she studied with Mark Eubanks, then obtained her M.M. from Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Stephen Maxym. Ms. Noreen holds the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Connecticut Symphony and Waterbury Symphony contrabassoon/bassoon position. Ms. Noreen teaches bassoon at Calvary Music School and formerly taught at University of Rhode Island and Hartt Community Division. She also is an Adjunct Professor of Music at Connecticut College. She is a former member of the United States Coast Guard Band and New Haven Symphony. Presently, she performs in an Oboe, Bassoon and Piano Trio named Lucience who records, premieres, and promotes diverse composers’ works and styles.

Hidden talent(s):I play Pennywhistle for and dance in the Mystic Garland Dancers. The Mystic Garland Dancers is a group of women who join together in an English Morris tradition to perform clog, garland, and longsword dances.

Favorite musical memory:Walter Cronkite conducting the United States Coast Guard Band in Stars and Stripes Forever on Governor’s Island, New York City. He was so excited and had such love in his manner, I’ll never forget him.

Favorite Motto or Quote:“Noone can make you feel inferior without your consent” – Elenor Roosevelt

Favorite Composer:Stravinsky, but really Mozart.

What/Who inspired you to take up your instrument:My bother, he played recordings of french horn pieces and one of them had a great bassoon part in it, the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante. I liked the sound of the instrument, so I wanted to play it. Also I didn’t want to play flute.