Shannon Orme Bio

Shannon Orme was appointed Bass Clarinet of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2007. Prior to joining the DSO, she was co-principal of the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra in Japan. Shannon spends her summers at the Grand Teton Music Festival, where she is also a frequent chamber musician.

Shannon enjoys the many facets of performances within the DSO family. She is a frequent performer in the community as part of DSO's Community Outreach Initiative and especially enjoys playing for those who cannot attend live concerts at Orchestra Hall. As a result of her commitment to this work, Shannon was one of five musicians nationwide to receive the 2016 Ford Musician Award for Excellence in Community Service, sponsored by the Ford Motor Fund and the League of American Orchestras. She is a dedicated educator and currently holds a private studio in her home.

An advocate for contemporary music, Shannon was a member of New Music Detroit, where she collaborated with today's emerging composers, and has participated in the group’s annual 12-hour marathon, Strange Beautiful Music. Shannon also performed at the Lucerne Festival Academy under Pierre Boulez for two seasons as well as the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble.

Upon graduating from the Interlochen Arts Academy, Shannon attended Northwestern University (B.Mus.) and University of Southern California (M.M.). Her principal teachers included Jean Miller, Richard Hawkins, J. Lawrie Bloom and Yehuda Gilad.

When Shannon is not performing, you may find her planning her next adventure—usually on a bicycle. Shannon is a Buffet Crampon Performing Artist.

Shannon's Warm Up

Here's what Shannon does to feel warmed up and ready to go for rehearsals. 1. It's important to find your air and 2. Go through your reeds!  Also included here are scale and arpeggio suggestions, plus a way to turn your current struggles into creative exercises. 

Hear more of her lessons in the Bass Clarinet Master Course!