Full Name:

Fawcett, Wilmer John

Alternate Name:

Bill

LC Authority:

Fawcett, Wilmer 

National:

Canadian

Bass Tradition:

American, Canadian, English

Bow Style:

German

Activity:

Solo, Chamber & Orchestra bassist, Collegiate Professor, Private Teacher, Music Editor, Arranger, Jazz Bassist,  Jazz Guitarist, Music Manager & Contractor.

Contact:

Viveza – Contact Page

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Chronology:

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        Birth:

August 14, 1941, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

        Studied with:

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                Classical:

George Woodall at University of Alberta, 1962-1965 (the first graduated bass student of the school), Bachelor of Music Honors, 1965.
Frederick Zimmermann at Juilliard School, New York, 1965-66 (Canada Council Scholarship)
Murray Grodner at Indiana University, Bloomington, 1970-1971, Teaching Assistant

                Jazz:

Jim Kilburn (jazz guitar) 1959-61

        Awards:

Canada Council award to study with Frederick Zimmermann, in addition to Prof. Zimmermann’s own personal scholarship for a year of study.

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        Orchestras:

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, 1971-2004, Associate Principal
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, 1966-1970, Section
CBC Radio Orchestra*, 1980-2004, Principal Bassist
CBC Radio Orchestra, 1967-1979, Section
Baroque Strings of Vancouver – c.1967-c.1980.
Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, 1964-65, Section.
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* CBC Radio Orchestra has changed name three times, thus it may also be known as CBC Vancouver Chamber Orchestra or CBC Vancouver Orchestra.
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Student Orchestras:
Indiana University Philharmonic, 1970-1971, Principal (as a graduate student and Teaching Assistant)
National Youth Orchestra of Canada, 1964-65.
International Youth Orchestra of Jeunesses Musicales in Paris, 1966.
National Youth Orchestra of Canada, 1966.

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        Chamber Ensembles:

Purcell String Quartet, Vancouver, as a joined member in quintet
Vancouver Chamber Music Festival
Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, WA, USA, 1999-2007.  Alumni Artist List

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        Jazz Ensembles:

The Black Spot, Vancouver, c1960-61, guitar.
The Yardbird Suite, Edmonton AB, 1962-65, bass.
The Ron Johnston Trio, Edmonton, 1962-65, bass.
Many other casual engagements in Edmonton and Vancouver, bass.

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        Other Ensembles:

Viveza (Salon Music Ensemble), Vancouver, 1988-present, Double Bass, Founding Member.

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        Teaching:

Banff School of Fine Arts, Banff, Alberta, Canada, 1972
Vancouver Community Music School (changed to Academy of Music), 1978-79, Instructor.
Douglas College, Greater Vancouver Area, 1978-79, Instructor.
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 1978-79, Instructor.
Private teacher, Vancouver area, 1968-69.

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        Noted Students:

Rene Worst (jazz bassist)

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        Commissions:

McDougall, Ian. Conversations for Tuba and Bass. 1972. Score Sample pdf

Conversations for Tuba and Bass were commissioned by Wilmer Fawcett  bass and Denis Miller tuba. The premiere took place during the May 3, 1972 concert, titled “Low Notes on a High Level,” at the Art Gallery, Vancouver. The following two reviews corroborate this unique event.

Read, Jeani. “Interesting Combinations of Sound.” Vancouver Province 4 May 1972: page unknown. Article Link

Robinson, Martha. “Tuba-bass Duo Makes Rich Sound” Vancouver Sun 4 May 1972: pages unknown. Article Link

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        Solos:

Dittersdorf, Karl Ditters von. Sinfonia a Contrabasso e Viola Concertanti. University of Alberta Symphony Orchestra Concert, 1965.

Performed on February 8, 1965. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Wilmer Fawcett was in his senior year at the University of Alberta at the time of this concert.
Viola part performed by Nick Pulos.

Concert Review:

Burrows, Anne. “U Musicians Enact History of Concerto.” The Edmonton Journal 8 Feb. 1965: 22. Article Link
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Eccles, Henry. Sonata in G Minor. Baroque Strings of Vancouver, leader Norman Nelson, arranged for string orchestra by Wilmer Fawcett.
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Kohaut, Karl (1726-1784) – Concerto per il Contrabasso. CBC Vancouver Orchestra Broadcast Recording, 1982.

Broadcasted on November 18, 1983 ; CBC FM band ; CBC Vancouver Orchestra ; soloist Wilmer Fawcett on bass in Viennese Tuning ; orchestra leader Elizabeth Wilcock, as a concertmaster.

Recorded:       December 11 and 12, 1982 : 10.30-1.30, CBC Studio 1, Vancouver, Canada.
Instrument:   Czech or Eastern European bass ca. 1900
Bass setup:    Viennese Tuning, 5 string D setup – steel strings
Announcement: Introduction by Shelagh Rogers

Notes:

This broadcast has featured the first modern performance of Kohaut’s bass concerto in Canada. It was organized through the initiative of bassist Wilmer Fawcett, who also edited the concerto from the original parts for the ensemble. This broadcasts has also featured for the first time an authentic solo bass performance on a period Viennese tuning. The following audio files are presented by courtesy of Wilmer Fawcett.

1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Presto
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Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. Per Questa Bella Mano, K.612. CBC Vancouver Orchestra Concert, 1991.

Performed on November 10, 1991, 3:00 pm at Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, Canada ; CBC Vancouver Orchestra ; Soloist Gary Relyea as bass voice,  Soloist Wilmer Fawcett on bass in Viennese Tuning ; Conductor Bruce Pullan.

 

Instrument: John Lott, 1840.
Bass Setup: Viennese Tuning, 4 string D setup – steel strings

Notes:

The performance of this aria was due to coincidence of Mr. Fawcett hearing CBC producer Karen Wilson express a wish “if there was another work in which she could showcase Gary Relyea?” To which Mr. Fawcett was quick to suggest Mozart’s Aria, where he would be a soloist as well. Thus on a short deadline this piece was quickly prepared. Also, considering that the bass was set in the original Viennese Tuning, this was likely the first authentic performance of Per Questa Aria in Canada. The following audio file of this concert was presented by courtesy of Wilmer Fawcett.

1. Per Questa Bella Mano – Concert Aria
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Davies, Peter Maxwell. Strathclyde Concerto #7, CBC Radio Orchestra, Studio Broadcast Recording.

Broadcasted in 1995. Wilmer Fawcett, double bass solo; Peter Maxwell Davies conductor. Canadian premiere. Recorded on June 1 and 2, 1995. Vancouver.

Instrument: John Lott, 1840.
Bass Setup: Orchestra Tuning, Corelli strings.

Notes:

During the early nineties composer Peter Maxwell Davies was working closely with CBC Radio Orchestra. An opportunity to record this concerto came through the maestro Davies’ wish to record this concerto with CBC Orchestra as well. Thus a CBC producer Karen Wilson related this to Wilmer Fawcett, who in turn simply could not miss on the offer. The solo part of this concerto demands sophisticated harmonics technique in the higher register, which Fawcett skillfully arranged for the lower positions’ equivalents for the sake of convenience (high shoulders of his Lott instrument).

Image 1 – P. M. Davies and W. Fawcett – shared moment at the Canada Place (cruise ship terminal).

Image 2 – P. M. Davies and W. Fawcett at the post recording reception.

Image 3 – Post recording reception with P. M. Davies, Mrs. Fawcett and recording engineer Don Harder (seated).
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Stravinsky, Igor. Pulcinella Suite, CBC Radio Orchestra, 1992. CD Recording.

Performed on March 6-7, 1992, The Orpheum, Vancouver ; Recorded in CBC studio 1, Vancouver ; Mario Bernardi, conductor. Wilmer Fawcett, solo bass.

Track 7 – Vivo – solo bass

Sound Samples

Click on the link, follow to the lower right “Free Preview”, click it and the preview page will open.

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        Chamber music:

Chan, Ka Nin. The Salmon Quintet. 1992.

Premiere Perfomance. For Piano Violin, Viola, Violoncello and Double Bass. A Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Commission for The Vancouver Chamber Music Festival. Music Info Link

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        Recordings:

Stravinsky, Igor, and Harry Somers. Stravinsky & Somers. SMCD 5161, Toronto, Ont: CBC Records/Les disques SRC, 1996. CD. Record Link

Wilmer Fawcett solo in Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite, “Vivo” movement. CBC Vancouver Orchestra. Mario Bernardi, conductor. Recorded March 6-7, 1992, The Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, Canada.

Sound Samples – Vivo, No. 7, Bass Solo

Click on the link, follow to the lower right “Free Preview”, click it and the preview page will open.
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Bryars, Gavin. I Have Heard It Said That a Spirit Enters: Music of Gavin Bryars = La Musique De Gavin Bryars. SMCD 5223. Toronto, ON: CBC Records, 2002. Record Link

Wilmer Fawcett principal bass. Recorded at the Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, BC, July 2-3, 2002.

[ Note, all bass solos are performed by Gavin Bryars. Wilmer Fawcett is only the  leader of the bass section ]

Sound Samples

Click on the link, scroll down to “Free Preview” tab at the lower right, click it, the recording preview page will open.
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Beckwith, John, and Elliot Weisgarber. Harp of David. CMCCD379. Toronto: Centrediscs, 1990. CD. Record Link

No. 7, Weisgarber, Elliot. Night. Vancouver Chamber Choir ; Jon Washburn, conductor ; Bruce Pullan, baritone ; Wilmer Fawcett, double bass ; Purcell String Quartet.

Sound Samples

Click on the link, scroll down to “Free Preview” tab at the lower right, click it, the recording preview page will open.
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Beethoven / Mozart / Schubert: Music to Hear. CBC, n.d.. Record Link
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Classical Music with a View: Islands + Vistas. Eastsound, WA: Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, 2002. CD. Record Link

Live performances from the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. OICMF Chamber Orchestra. Schubert, Franz. Quintet for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass, Op. 114 “Trout”.
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Unexpected Gifts: Music for Healing II. Vancouver, BC: Grouse, 2007. CD. Record Link

Vancouver Chamber Choir ; Jon Washburn, conductor ; with Cris Inguanti, clarinet ; Cameron Wilson, violin ; Wilmer Fawcett, double bass ; Graham Boyle, percussion ; Linda Lee Thomas, piano ; Bryn Nixon, organ.
Recorded Oct. 24-25 and 30-31, 2007, Ryerson United Church, Vancouver, BC.
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Viveza Salon Orchestra recordings:

Viveza- In Palm Court Style. 9001CD. Vancouver, B.C: Skylark, 1990. CD. Record Link

Gwen Thompson, violin ; Mark Koenig, violin, mélodica ; Lee Duckles, violoncello ; Wilmer Fawcett, double bass ; Linda Lee Thomas, piano ; Salvador Ferreras, percussions.
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Encore. 9101CD. Vancouver: Skylark, 1992. Record Link

Gwen Thompson, violin ; Mark Koenig, violin, melodion ; Lee Duckles, cello ; Wilmer Fawcett, double bass ; Linda Lee Thomas, piano with Salvador Ferreras, percussion.
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Entre Nous. CAN9012. Markham, Ont.: Denon, 1992. Record Link

Gwen Thompson, violin; Mark Koening, violin and melodion; Wilmer Fawcett, double bass; Linda Lee Thomas piano; with Salvador Ferreras, percussion.
Recorded live at Vancouver Studios, June 9-12, 1992.
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Five O’clock Foxtrot. CACD55002. London [England]: Cala Records, 1996. CD. Record Link

Gwen Thompson, violin; Mark Koening, violin and melodion; Wilmer Fawcett, double bass; Robert Holiston, piano; with guest artists.
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Tango Tango. VIV50212. British Columbia, Canada: Viveza, 2005. CD. Record Link

Gwen Thompson, violin ; Mark Koenig, violin, melodeon, viola ; Wilmer Fawcett, double bass ; Robert Holliston, piano ; Salvador Ferreras, percussion.
Recorded April 6, 8, and 9, 1998, Western Front, Vancouver, B.C.
Program notes in English by Wilmer Fawcett (1 folded sheet : port.) inserted in container.
Originally issued in 1998 by Omega Records.
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Viveza — in Concert. VIV70513. Vancouver: Viveza, 2007.CD. Record Link

Gwen Thompson, violin ; Mark Koenig, violin, melodeon ; Wilmer Fawcett, double bass ; Robert Holliston, piano ; with Salvador Ferreras, percussion ; and Rosemarie Landry, soprano (track 8).

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        Personal Biography:

Wilmer Fawcett – Biography. Document Link

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        Basses owned:

Hawkes Panormo
English Bass, unknown
Mirecourt bass labelled Vuillaume, 1844.
J.F. Lott (grandfather) 1840.
Pollmann, 1971 (Murray Grodner design)

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        Hobbies and Interests:

Jazz Bass and Guitar, Reading, Genealogy, Gardening.

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Relatives:

Ruth New, noted Edmonton soprano (died 2017) who encouraged Wilmer Fawcett in his study of music while at Edmonton.

Wife Lucy and son Anthony who helped and encouraged Wilmer in his many musical projects.

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Bibliography:

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        Articles:

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                Feature Articles:

“New Faces in our Orchestra” Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Programme (no number) 1966: 5. Article Link

                Other Articles:

Smith, Bob. “All Starts on Jazz Horizon” The Vancouver Sun Friday, 4 Nov. 1966: pages unknown Article Link

Dykk, LLoyd. “Discord and Harmony – Life With a Violin” The Vancouver Sun Friday, 14 Sep. 979: page unknown Article Link

“High On Music” The Vancouver Sun Friday, 26 Aug. 1988: front page Article Link

Wilmer Fawcet corroborates on this photo:
“The Vancouver Symphony had been bankrupt and shut down for a season. I had been invited to play a season with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. Upon my return, the VSO had become operational again, and they scheduled a special “back to work” concert in a tent under a massive crane on Granville Island in the heart of the city. As a publicity stunt for the concert, the newspaper asked me to play my bass on a forklift with the crane in the background.”

                Other Reports:

A short report on Britain and USSR tour. International Society of Bassists. VI, No. 2 (Winter 1980): 595. Report Link

                Concert Reviews:

Burrows, Anne. “U Musicians Enact History of Concerto.” The Edmonton Journal 8 Feb. 1965: 22. Article Link

Burrows, Anne. “U of A Music Students Play Bach in Final Concert.” The Edmonton Journal 15 Feb. 1965: 16-17. Article Link 1 – Article Link 2

Note: Anne Burrows, the music critic for The Edmonton Journal was actually blind, thus a remark on Wilmer Fawcett’s playing is even more fascinating.

Read, Jeani. “Interesting Combinations of Sound.” Vancouver Province 4 May 1972: page unknown. Article Link

Robinson, Martha. “Tuba-bass Duo Makes Rich Sound” Vancouver Sun 4 May 1972: pages unknown. Article Link

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        Dictionary Entries:

Wilmer Fawcett cited in “Gwen Thompson” The Canadian Encyclopedia, Electronic Edition, Link

Wilmer Fawcett cited in “Double Bass” The Canadian Encyclopedia, Electronic Edition, Link

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Personal Web Pages:

Viveza

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