Praised for his “superb” and “very expressive playing,” Jeffrey McCray, DMA, is the newly-appointed instructor of bassoon at Colorado Mesa University. He has served in similar positions at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado State University-Pueblo and Chadron State College in Nebraska. He is also principal bassoon of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, principal bassoon of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, and he is a member of the bassoon section of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. He has performed extensively as a guest with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Omaha Symphony, the Kansas City Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra.
McCray previously held teaching positions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Baylor University, Western Michigan University, Albion College and the University of Michigan-Flint. His primary bassoon teachers were Robert Barris, Bernard Garfield and Michael Kroth and he holds degrees from Northwestern University, Temple University and Michigan State University.
McCray is an active performer and clinician, having performed or presented at numerous conferences of music professionals such as the International Double Reed Society, College Music Society, International Clarinet Association, International Horn Society, Nebraska Music Educators Association and Colorado Music Educators Association. He has taught waterlessness and performed recitals at many prestigious schools of music, including Baylor University, Colorado State University, Crane School of Music (SUNY-Potsdam), Michigan State University, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Michigan, University of North Texas, University of Northern Colorado, University of Oklahoma and the Instituto Nacional de Música in Costa Rica.
