Tom Hardy is a freelance bassoon and contra bassoon player and has played with many of the UK's leading orchestras and ensembles including the English Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, Ulster Orchestra and the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra as well as working for several years as the bassoon player in the classic West End production of "42nd Street" at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Tom studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (GGSM Hons) studying with Ian Cuthill and Dominic Weir (contra) and followed this with post graduate studies at National Centre for Orchestral Studies (under Goldsmith’s College, London). Chamber music is central to Tom's career. He was a founder member of two wind chamber groups - Etesian Winds wind quintet and Concertone (wind and piano ensemble) and currently plays with several London based chamber groups including The Blaze Ensemble The Globe Wind Quintet and the bassoon quartet Reed Rage. Tom is also the sub-principal bassoon player of The Orchestra of St. Paul's. Tom combines his freelance work with educational work which he is passionate about and enjoys a busy teaching and coaching schedule. He is currently teaching for Sutton Music Service Saturday School, The London Oratory School, The City of London Boys school and Newland House School in Teddington as well as privately. He is the visiting reed making professor at the Birmingham Conservatoire. He also coaches several adult amateur orchestra wind sectionals in London. His enthusiasm and friendly manner make him a popular coach both for adults and younger players.
