Joseph Swift

Biography

Praised for his “soaring expression” and “impressive technical command” (IDRS Journal 46, No 2), bassoonist Joseph Swift enjoys a varied career as a performer, educator, and recording artist. Joseph currently serves as principal bassoon of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, and has performed with many orchestras across the United States and Canada, in addition to chamber performances throughout the East Coast, Midwest, and London, England. He has performed with the South Bend Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, York Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, and Napa Festival Orchestra among others. He also earned a Silver Medal in the Senior Wind Division with the Vanguard Reed Quintet at the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Joseph is currently the bassoon faculty at the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, where he has grown a robust private studio and reputation in the state of New Jersey. Joseph earned his bachelor degree from Western Michigan University, two master’s degrees from the University of Michigan, and his DMA at Stony Brook University. His primary teachers include Robert Williams, Gwendolyn Rose, Jeffrey Lyman, and Frank Morelli. His debut solo album Room to Breathe was released in March 2023 receiving high acclaim across distinguished musical journals. His collaboration with pianist Calvin Hu shines across 5 world premieres for bassoon and piano ignited by the lived experiences of 5 composers of various personal and professional backgrounds. Joseph is an endorsed artist with Key Leaves and bassoon specialist at Silverstein Works. Outside of music Joseph enjoys traveling, golfing, speed-solving Rubik’s cubes, fitness, and spending time with his wife Cat and their dog Dunkin. A Michigan native, he is currently located in Somerset, New Jersey.