About us
Musson Bassoon Reeds was established by Peter and Joanna Musson in 1979. All Musson Bassoon Reeds are made in Brisbane, using finest quality Arundo Donax. The tube cane is transformed through several painstaking stages into the finished reeds, being hardness tested and micrometer measured along the way. Each reed receives final testing and adjustment before sale.
Peter Musson
The late Peter Musson was born in Auckland and enjoyed an international career as a bassoonist and bassoon teacher.
Drawing on his knowledge of reed-making gained during his time in Germany, he founded Musson Bassoon Reeds in Brisbane in 1979, with wife, Joanna.
Today, Joanna continues to run Musson Bassoon Reeds, working in collaboration with some of Peter’s former students, now professionals themselves.
Reeds and instruments are now tested by Katharine Willison.
About us
Katharine Willison
Born in England, Katharine studied bassoon with Peter Musson at the Queensland Conservatorium Music School before returning to London, gaining a BMus at the Royal College of Music and being awarded a scholarship to complete a Masters of Music in Performance at the Guildhall School of Music, before a further year of study in Paris with Pascal Gallois. As a member of the Linos Quintet, she won the Royal Overseas League Ensemble Prize and a Hattori Scholarship, performing throughout the UK, as well as touring Italy and Australia. In the UK, she has performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, The Philharmonia, Northern Sinfonia, ENO and at the Aldeburgh, Edinburgh and Rye Festivals.
Since moving back to Brisbane in 2017, Katharine has played with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Pops Orchestra, Camerata and Queensland Festival Philharmonic. She teaches bassoon at numerous Brisbane schools and has tutored for the AYO and QYO. Katharine is Executive Director of the annual Tyalgum Music Festival, which was founded by her parents, violinist Carmel Kaine and violist John Willison.
Katharine plays a Fox 201D bassoon.
Listen to Peter Musson playing the Jiri Pauer concerto:
2nd movement
3rd movement