Keith Atkinson

Keith Atkinson has been associate principal oboe of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) since 1985. In addition to his symphonic duties, he is an active recitalist and chamber musician. He is a founding member of the Meridian Trio, which specializes in unusual wind chamber music. The group has released a CD featuring music for flute, oboe, and piano.

Keith has appeared regularly on the Evening Overtures chamber series of the TSO and plays with the Bach Consort, which has released two CDs of Bach arias and cantatas. He also performs with New Music Concerts in Toronto, the Mississauga Choral Society, and Music at Metropolitan United (Toronto) and has played principal oboe with the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa) and the Hamilton (Ontario) Philharmonic.

In demand as a teacher and chamber music coach, Keith is on the faculties of the University of Toronto, The Royal Conservatory, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. He is also a woodwind coach for the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Keith began piano studies at age five, clarinet at age nine, and oboe at age 12. His first oboe teachers included Richard Johnson, William Harrod, and Adrian Gnam. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree with High Distinction from Indiana University, studying with Jerry Sirucek, and a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, where he was a student of Ray Still. While in graduate school, he was principal oboe of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and played extra with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Upon graduation in 1981, he joined the San Francisco Symphony as second oboe.

You can email Keith at keith.atkinson@utoronto.ca