Richard Dorsey

Oboist Richard Dorsey is a former (retired) member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) and has held positions with other orchestras in Canada. Before joining the TSO, he held principal positions with the US Air Force Symphony Orchestra and Band, and performed throughout the United States with the Air Force Woodwind Quintet. He held principal oboe positions with the Oklahoma Symphony and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.

In addition, Richard was the original principal oboist with the Canadian Chamber Ensemble originating at Stratford, with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. He has had a long relationship with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, having performed at both the Tanglewood Music Festival and at Symphony Hall in Boston, and toured in New York’s Carnegie Hall. He has also performed many times with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa and appears on numerous recordings with Maestro Pinchas Zuckerman. Richard has been on the faculty of the University of Oklahoma, Wilfred Laurier University, University of Toronto, and The Royal Conservatory. Other teaching experience includes the Courtenay Music Festival.

Richard’s own education was at Boston University. He studied with the principal oboist of the Boston Symphony, Ralph Gomberg. Richard attained a Master's degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. In 1972 and 1973, he was recognized with performance prizes at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts.

You can email Richard at rhdorsey@look.ca