Peter Gravlin joined the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra in 1976 as “Principal Bassoon, Artist in Residence.” Peter is a founding member of what is now known as the “Saskatoon Symphony Chamber Players.” 

Peter retired from the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra in May, 2011 and was bestowed the title of Bassoon Emeritus for life. 

Peter was an enthusiastic participant in all aspects of what is now known as the “Core” for well over three decades. Included in this are full orchestra, chamber orchestra, outreach concerts, school concerts, pops concerts and chamber concerts. He was featured as a soloist on several occasions with the both the chamber orchestra and the full orchestra—the most notable of which was his 2005 appearance with the full orchestra as solo bassoonist in the Mozart Bassoon Concerto—the preeminent concerto for the bassoon. Peter insisted on writing his own cadenzas for this performance of which he was quite proud and the media reviewer characterized the cadenzas as “jazz-like”—who knew? 

Peter took his training in Vancouver under the tutelage of Roland Small and Chris Millard. Peter has a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of British Columbia as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan. 

Peter has played in many other orchestras, including as invited Principal in the Victoria Symphony and as section bassoonist with the Vancouver Symphony, the Calgary Philharmonic, the Edmonton Symphony and the Regina Symphony Orchestra. He has also played in the Bedford Festival Orchestra, the Aspen Festival Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and the Canadian Chamber Orchestra. 

Concurrent to his professional life with the SSO, Peter taught many private bassoon students—several of these now hold professional chairs in this and other orchestras. As well, Peter ran a successful music education business of bands and chamber orchestra for a ten year period starting in the mid nineties. Peter is also a founding director and continuing player with “The Parkland Pops” – an event/wedding ensemble (www.parklandpops.homestead.com). Peter was also a substitute teacher in both Saskatoon School systems for fifteen years where he had the dual specialties of French and Music. 

Peter now works with troubled youth and young offenders. He is married to Saskatoon pianist Gillian Lyons. They have one grown son, Matt.