Lucy Morrell

Lucy Morrell is a bassoonist and contrabassoonist currently living in the midlands, UK. Lucy’s music education began aged 10 with Leicestershire Arts in Education, having bassoon lessons with Rebecca Alymer and performing with many ensembles including Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra and Guthlaxton Concert Band. During college years Lucy also played bass guitar, contrabassoon and baritone saxophone, leading to performing experience with Guthlaxton Big Band and in local school musicals. After leaving college and achieving grade 8 bassoon, Lucy pursed her interest in medical care and trained as a paramedic in the West Midlands. After some years without a bassoon, Lucy began to play again after buying her own and began studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire whilst continuing to work part time for the ambulance service. Lucy graduated with a Masters of Music in Instrumental Performance in 2020. During her study she performed as principal bassoon, 2nd bassoon and contrabassoon in numerous large and small ensembles. During Lucy’s final year of masters she performed as principal bassoon in the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall, and The Hippodrome for a production of Swan Lake. Lucy was also a finalist in the Nicholas Hunka Bassoon Prize in 2019 and 2020. Lucy has studied with Nikolaj Henriques, Ben Hudson, John Orford, Shelly Organ, Alan Pendlebury, Gareth Twigg and Rachel Whibley. Lucy has also participated in masterclasses led by Sarah Burnett, Ole Kristian Dahl, Martin Gatt, Daniel Jamison, Gordon Laing and Gustavo Núñez. Professional engagements include Proms in the Park performances with London Gala Orchestra, an opera tour throughout Wales with OPRA Cymru, recordings and performances of electronic dance music with Kaleidoscope Orchestra and numerous choral concerts. Lucy is keenly interested in contemporary and new music, collaborating with composers and performing works with Ripieno Players and Thallein Ensemble as well as solo performances with electric bassoon. Lucy is also passionate about outreach work, which includes performing in a wide variety of locations with Nevis Ensemble such as hospitals and homeless shelters, and performances and workshops for young people with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire LEAP Ensemble. As part of Lucy’s masters education, she also attended placements with Orchestra of the Swan’s Dementia Cares programme, which included performing in care homes. Lucy continues to work for the NHS whilst playing bassoon and contrabassoon throughout the UK and abroad.