Brett Shurtliffe

Instructor of Double Bass

E-mail: music@houghton.edu
Phone: 585.567.9400

Double bassist Brett Shurtliffe received his Bachelor in Music from the Eastman School of Music, and his Master in Music from Duquesne University. During his time at Eastman he became only the second bassist in twenty years to receive the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. In 2003 he was the Top American Prizewinner at the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition, and two years later took 1st Prize at the ISB Orchestral Competition. Other honors include 1st Prize PADEASTA Solo Competition, Top Prizewinner for Double Bass at the National ASTA Solo Competition, as well as runner-up in the University of Maryland, Rochester Philharmonic-Eastman School, and Williamsport Symphony Concerto Competitions. In 1999 Mr. Shurtliffe was a featured soloist with the National Repertory Orchestra, and in 2001 was a co-creator and soloist in Heresy, a new music concert conducted by Rochester Philharmonic’s Jeff Tyzik. He premiered two works for double bass during the 2000 ASTA convention in Rochester NY, as well as David Stock’s Blustery Winds in 2002. His recital engagements have taken him across the east coast of the U.S. and Canada, and as an orchestral musician he has performed with the Wheeling, Erie, Detroit and Pittsburgh Symphonies. In the spring of 2007 he began working as Associate Principal Double Bass with the Buffalo Philharmonic under JoAnn Falletta. Apart from performing, Mr. Shurtliffe has commissioned new works for the double bass, as well as creating numerous transcriptions of his own including Monte’s Czardas, Kabalevsky’s 1st Cello Concerto, and Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen among others. Along with his current private studio, he serves as Adjunct Professor of Double Bass at Canisius College and Bass Instructor at the International Festival Institute in Round Top Texas. He currently resides in Boston NY with his wife Andrea and their daughter Madelyn.