Help Fabrizio Purchase His Own Bassoon

Hi! My name is Fabrizio Milcent, I am a senior attending Chicago High School for the Arts. I play the bassoon, and I am passionate about classical musical performance. My deepest desire is to pursue a professional career in music and to perform alongside serious musicians who share the same passion and desire to perform music as me. For now, the next step in my music education journey is college. I will be attending the Eastman School of Music this fall to pursue my dream of becoming a professional musician.

Through the grace and generosity of one of my summer music camp instructors, I have been playing with a borrowed bassoon as the purchase of my own instrument is something that is out of reach for my family. I have used this borrowed bassoon to perform at concerts, recitals, juries, summer festivals, and even at Chicago’s Symphony Center, but I must invest in my own instrument for college and a career in music.

I am a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, where I have performed with the CYSO Symphony Orchestra, the Classical Orchestral Repertory Ensemble, and the Ambassadors woodwind Quintet for two years. The CYSO has allowed me to perform at prestigious venues, such as Orchestra Hall and at the CYSO’s galas. I also frequently perform with my school’s symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, and various chamber ensembles. I also attended the Merit School of Music from 2020 to 2023.

I am also a part of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative cohort, which has allowed me to participate in multiple ensembles and opportunities like the 2024 National Pathways Orchestra, and allowed me to attend the Kinhaven Music School in 2021 and 2022, and the Interlochen Arts Camp in 2023. CMPI also provides its fellows with funds for private music lessons. With these funds, I have been fortunate enough to study with Bill Buchman, assistant bassoonist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Bill Buchman has been essential in helping to improve my musicianship and practice on the instrument.

I have always been incredibly passionate about pursuing music, but unfortunately, becoming a professional musician can be costly. Current prices for bassoons are unaffordable, and I would greatly appreciate any financial assistance that would be put towards my musical endeavors.

I have applied for and won the 2023 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award which provides financial aid towards an instrument purchase. I am hoping to raise the rest through donations and my own savings. It will be amazing to finally purchase and own a bassoon of my very own. Your support would mean the world to me and it would help me continue pursuing my dreams.

Here is a video of me playing a portion of the David Bassoon Sonata.

Here is a video of me playing the first movement of the

Hindemith Bassoon Sonata.

Thank you so much for your generosity and support!