1977 – Harrison History

Anne Henderson (nee Care)

Anne Henderson’s earliest musical training was in Melbourne studying piano. She took up bassoon at the age of 13. Anne continued her musical studies at Melbourne University, and as an International Student on a Rotary Foundation Scholarship in Georgia USA.

On her return to Australia in 1971, Anne worked as second bassoon with the Tasmanian Symphony before taking up a scholarship with the ABC’s National Training Orchestra. This period was interrupted to take up a contract with the then Elizabethan Theatre Trust Sydney Orchestra. Anne left Sydney in 1973 to do a Postgraduate Course in Education at Melbourne University and eventually studied for her Master of Music Degree at Adelaide University. This time gave her the opportunity to work closely with the members of the Adelaide wind quintet and lead to many opportunities including a tour to the eastern States performing Haydn’s Sinfonia Concertante with Ladislav Jasek (violin), John Kennedy (‘cello) and Jiri Tancibudik (oboe). She was also a member of the South Australian Education Department Music Branch Wind Quintet, playing for schools in and around Adelaide.

Anne interrupted her studies if 1975 to take up a contract with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as second bassoon. The following year she continued with the orchestra as Acting Associate Principal Bassoon until she moved to Perth. She was employed there by the WA Department of Education as a peripatetic teacher and as a full-time staff member at John Curtin Senior High School teaching Music and English.

Anne joined WASO in 1977 and in 1978 was appointed Principal Bassoon. She has continued to work in education in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Centres in Perth and has been a member of various Chamber Music groups in Perth including Perth Wind Quintet and the Emanuel Ensemble.

Her first Concerto performance with WASO was a series of Schools concerts playing the Weber Bassoon Concerto.

Anne was also a member of the WASO’s New Music Ensemble and the successful Education Chamber Orchestra.

Anne retired from WASO in 2009 and continues to teach in a number of schools where she is a strong advocate for the use of the Mini-Bassoon in upper Primary Years and has performed with various ensembles including the Perth Symphony, Perth Chamber Orchestra and Fremantle Chamber Orchestra. Other activities include examining for the AMEB and SCSA and active involvement with the Australasian Double Reed Society currently holding the position of Vice President.