Specializes in: Band, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Piano

Education: Bachelor of Music Education; Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA
Master of Music, Bassoon Performance; Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL

John Pope began studying music at the age of 11, first taking lessons on the acoustic guitar. His curiosity in music led him to explore playing other instruments throughout grade school, from piano to saxophone and from tuba to bassoon. Upon completing his music education degree at Valdosta State University in Georgia, he developed a passion for performing on the bassoon, bringing him to Chicago to begin a Master of Music degree in Bassoon Performance.

John plays bassoon with many of the premier community orchestras such as Lakeshore Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, both under the direction of Russell Vinick. He regularly performs with professional orchestras in the far west suburbs such as Fox Valley Orchestra (Aurora.) He also premiered as a guest conductor at City Wide Symphony Orchestra in Jefferson Park, leading the orchestra to perform the third and fourth movement of Brahms’s Symphony Number 3.