DOUBLE REEDS
Welcome to the University of Tennessee Double Reeds!
Offering courses of study in oboe and bassoon, the University of Tennessee College of Music offers a dynamic program with a wealth of performance opportunities, including in University of Tennessee large ensembles like the UT Wind Ensemble and the UT Symphony Orchestra! As a student in the Double Reed program at UT, you will be part of a group of dedicated musicians committed to developing their musical and educational voice and preparing for a life of music. UT Double Reeds prides ourselves on creative exploration, supportive community, camaraderie and most of all great music making.
UT Double Reeds is growing! We are proud to present a variety of events throughout the year including guest artist recitals and masterclasses, reed making workshops and Double Reed Day. Follow us on Instagram @utkoboes and @utkbassoons or feel free to reach out to participate in any of our events and learn more.
Double Reed Studio Values
Respect – respect for our work as artists and musicians, respect for one another, respect for our school, respect for our teachers, respect for those who came before us, respect for our facilities, respect for our colleagues.
Community – supporting one another as double reed players, musicians, artists, fellow students and citizens.
Gratitude + Appreciation – consistently fostering an attitude of gratitude for the opportunity to make music and learn along side one another.
Ambition + Hard Work – showing up every day for our craft, dreaming big, reaching for the stars, and keeping the focus on consistent effort.
Meet Our Faculty
Benjamin Atherholt
Lecturer of Bassoon
Noted by Twin Cities Arts Reader for playing “with such a smooth tone that it reached the ears like a gentle breeze”, bassoonist Benjamin Atherholt is a passionate and highly sought after performer, educator and community builder. Atherholt has served as a member of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra since 2015 and held tenure with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra from 2006-2023. He can be heard on the Houston Symphony’s 2018 Grammy Award winning recording of Alban Berg’s Wozzeck and on film scores such as Terence Blanchard’s Da 5 Bloods (2020) and George S. Clinton’s Extract (2009). As a chamber musician Atherholt has collaborated with renowned artists such as pianist Orion Weiss and Harlem Quartet. Atherholt is the Programming Director for Lyrica Baroque, a New Orleans based nonprofit organization where he spearheaded educational initiatives like Creativity Day and With Feeling & Music – a social emotional chamber music integrated curriculum for K-12 settings.
Jaren Atherholt
Assistant Professor of Oboe | [email protected]
A native of Alaska, Atherholt has performed to stellar reviews as a featured concerto soloist with the Louisiana Philharmonic, A Far Cry, and the Hamptons Festival of Music. Atherholt has performed as guest principal oboist with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Detroit Symphony, as well as guest associate principal oboist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Atherholt spent four summers at the Marlboro Music Festival and currently performs each summer with the Grand Teton Music Festival.
She has served on the faculty of John Mack Oboe Camp, Interlochen Oboe Institute, the Wintergreen Music Academy, and the Vianden International Music School. Recent performances include guest principal oboist with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
