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Principal Applied Bassoon (Sophomore Level)

MVW2324 — MVW2324
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2 credit hours 30 contact hours Prerequisites: MVW1314 (or equivalent freshman applied bassoon sequence) with passing jury; continued audition standing in the music program; demonstrated reed-making competency; concurrent enrollment in an allied ensemble and music theory typically required v@Model.Guide.Version

Course Description

MVW2324 — Principal Applied Bassoon is the sophomore-level applied music course in bassoon for students whose principal instrument is bassoon. The course consists of weekly private one-on-one lessons with an applied bassoon faculty member, supported by daily individual practice, daily reed-making and reed-adjustment work, and concurrent participation in an allied ensemble. Like oboe, bassoon is a double-reed instrument for which most professional and serious collegiate players make their own reeds — reed-making is integrated into applied study from the freshman year, with sophomore-year students expected to be making reeds at a basic playing standard. The course extends the freshman foundation through more demanding etude literature (Milde, Weissenborn advanced studies, Oubradous), broader solo literature spanning Baroque through 20th/21st-century works, and growing exposure to standard orchestral excerpts.

This course is offered at approximately 25 Florida public colleges and universities. Florida State University identifies MV_2321–2326 as the sophomore principal applied music sequence; bassoon corresponds to the "4" in the score-order final digit (after flute = 1, oboe = 2, clarinet = 3).

The Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) encodes information about applied music courses in the digits of the course number. Following the convention documented by Florida State University's College of Music, the first digit indicates academic level (1 = freshman, 2 = sophomore, 3 = junior, 4 = senior), the second digit indicates the applied music placement (2 = secondary, 3 = principal, 4 = performance), the third digit repeats the first, and the fourth digit indicates the specific instrument within the prefix family.

For MVW2324, the prefix MVW denotes Applied Music: Woodwinds; 2 indicates sophomore level; 3 indicates principal placement; 2 repeats the academic level; and the final 4 places bassoon fourth in the woodwind score order (followed by saxophone = 5).

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of MVW2324, students will be able to:

Optional Outcomes

Major Topics

Required Topics

Optional Topics

Resources & Tools

Career Pathways

Students intending to pursue performance professionally should plan on completing a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance at a Florida university — typically Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Miami (Frost), University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, University of West Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida Gulf Coast University, or Florida A&M University — and continuing to graduate study or competitive auditions.

Bassoon graduates have additional career destinations specific to the instrument: regional orchestral positions (Florida Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Orlando Philharmonic each have one principal bassoon and one or two assistant/contrabassoon positions; positions are extremely competitive nationally); chamber music ensembles (woodwind quintets and chamber orchestras); theme-park ensembles at Walt Disney World (the parade and seasonal orchestras include bassoon); cruise-line orchestras; private studio teaching; military service bands (where bassoon positions are present); and professional reed-making as a niche side income.

Special Information

SCNS Transferability

Applied music courses with prefixes MVB, MVH, MVJ, MVK, MVO, MVP, MVS, MVV, and MVW are not automatically transferable under the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System. Per FSCJ's published policy on the SCNS, these courses require evidence of skill achievement (audition, jury performance, or portfolio) and must be evaluated individually by the receiving institution. Students transferring to a four-year music program should plan to audition with the receiving institution's applied faculty regardless of credits earned. The Florida Common Prerequisites Manual (available at floridashines.org) lists state-wide prerequisite expectations for music majors transferring to State University System institutions; faculty in the receiving program place students into the appropriate applied level based on audition.

Continued Audition Standing

Continuation in MVW2324 typically requires successful completion of MVW1314 (or equivalent freshman applied bassoon sequence) with a passing jury and demonstrated reed-making competency.

Reed-Making Daily Practice

Reed-making is not optional for the principal-level bassoonist. Sophomore-year students typically dedicate 30–60 minutes per day to reed-making and adjustment, in addition to instrumental practice. The combined time commitment is among the highest of any musical instrument, comparable to oboe study.

Equipment Investment

Bassoon represents one of the highest equipment costs among orchestral instruments. A professional-grade Heckel or Fox bassoon typically costs $15,000–$35,000+; reed-making equipment adds $500–$1,000 over the first year; cane and consumables add ongoing costs of $30–$60 per month. Most freshman/sophomore students play on intermediate Fox or Schreiber instruments ($5,000–$10,000) or institutional loaners.

Continuation Sequence

MVW2324 is followed by a continuing sophomore semester (often a repeat of MVW2324) and then by MVW3334 at the junior principal level. Successful completion through MVW3334 (by jury) is a degree requirement at most Florida four-year music programs.

Sophomore Recital

Some institutions require a sophomore-year recital at the conclusion of the MVW2324 sequence. The 20-minute recital format is standard, typically including one Baroque sonata, one Classical concerto movement, and one 20th-century work.

Generated May 8, 2026 · Updated May 8, 2026