Orchestral Experience
Professional Pit Orchestra Playing
Alternative Experience
Training Orchestral Experience
American bassoonist Michael Elderkin is an accomplished player, performing internationally as an orchestral, chamber, and session musician. Having performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, London International Orchestra, Surrey Opera, among others, Michael is an active freelancer in London, where he resides.
Michael is a frequent session player in London and also works out of his home studio to record remotely, having recorded for Apple TV+, Audio Network, and various other projects - both on bassoon and contrabassoon. He has been featured as a soloist on the video game soundtrack to "Age of Fear 3: The Legend" and can be heard on numerous film/television scores, most recently 'Tiny Worlds' by Benjamin Wallfisch/Chris Egan on Apple TV+.
A strong proponent of chamber music, having played in various ensembles over the years, Michael is currently a member of the "9-5" Chamber Ensemble, the Gilbert Ensemble, and Two and a Half Reeds. Recently, he performed alongside the Van Kuijk Quartet in the Great Music In Irish Houses Festival.
Michael attended the Eastman School of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with John Hunt and Daniel Jemison.
In addition to performing, Michael is a versatile composer with a style firmly rooted in strong thematic content with lush orchestrations and vivid colors, with a portfolio including music for concert, film, television, and musical theatre.
Recently, he has orchestrated for 'Black Widow' (2020), 'Gemini Man' (2019), 'His Dark Materials' (2019), and 'Mission: Impossible - Fallout' (2018). He has written music for numerous films including Nightrounds and Pacalu.
In April of 2017, he produced a semi-staged workshop of his musical, Mascherato, in partnership with the Barbican Centre. In March 2020, he recorded a full cast album in Abbey Road Studios with a 22-piece orchestra which is now available on all streaming platforms. The recording has been praised as "a score that is of the highest quality" and having "the colour, warmth and escapism of the best of what we love in musicals and the familiar-yet-new resonance of what Ashman and Menken did for the Disney renaissance."
Michael has worked extensively as a conductor and arranger for the Empire Film Music Ensemble. He has also worked as a copyist for numerous film and television projects.
Graduate studiesEastman School of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
TeachersJohn Hunt, Daniel Jemison, Helen Simons, Peter Whelan, and Dominic Morgan (contrabassoon)
Michael joined Morgensterns in December 2017
Michael's web profile was last updated 3rd Feb 2021
If you require musicians for a concert, recital or to enhance an event,
please call Morgensterns Teleteam.
If you require musicians for a concert, recital or to enhance an event,
please call Morgensterns Teleteam.
