Mark Lauer

Mark Lauer (he/him/his), Instructor of Bassoon, is a freelance bassoonist, educator, and entrepreneur based in Saint Louis, MO.  In addition to his position at UMSL, he also currently serves as Principal Bassoonist with the Northwest Florida Symphony and Second Bassoon in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (GA) and Evansville Philharmonic (IN).

As a versatile performer, Mr. Lauer plays in both chamber groups and large ensemble settings. Most recently, he co-commissioned and premiered Look by Alyssa Morris at the 2022 International Double Reed Society Conference in Boulder, CO. He performs with numerous orchestras across the United States including: the Kansas City Symphony, the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, the Orlando Philharmonic, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Panama City Symphony Orchestra (FL), Tallahassee Symphony, Valdosta Symphony (GA), Augusta Symphony (GA), Ocala Symphony (FL), Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas Philharmonic, and the Missouri Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Lauer’s passion for accessible bassoon education includes masterclasses and workshops at colleges across the country. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, he taught undergraduate chamber music, music education methods, and bassoon lessons at the Florida State University College of Music from 2017-2019. He also served as a Faculty Member at the 2019 Northern California Bocal Majority Camps. Masterclasses and workshops at colleges include: Guest Artist for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Double Reed Day and masterclasses at The Schwob School of Music at the Columbus State University (GA), Auburn University (AL), Middle Tennessee State University, and Southeast Missouri State University.

To further support bassoon education across the country, Mr. Lauer launched his reed company, Rhapsody Reeds, in the Fall of 2022. He provides high quality reeds to all bassoonists and educators across the United States.

A native of Jefferson City, Missouri, He received the Bachelor of Music and Performers Certificate from the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory. He earned his Masters of Music degree at The Florida State University College of Music (FSU) where he is currently completing the Doctorate of Music in Bassoon Performance at FSU. Mr. Lauer attended The Brevard Music Center Festival and Institute (NC), The Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival, and the National Music Festival (MD). He has also participated for 5 summers in the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra (MO).

Mark’s teachers include: Jeff Keesecker, Marita Abner, and Dr. Steven Houser. With additional studies with William Ludwig, Dr. Susan Barber, Elise Wagner, and Benjamin Kamins.