Alejandro Vieira

Alejandro Vieira, bassoon and contrabassoon, is originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He earned his Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he was a winner of the annual concerto competition, and held the position of second bassoon with the Northern Kentucky Symphony. He joined the Colorado Springs Symphony (now the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra) in January, 2001, as Second Bassoon and Contrabassoon, though currently he is Acting Principal Bassoon. Alex also holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where he participated in ensembles ranging in specialty from music of the medieval period to contemporary music. He has performed in many countries and festivals, including France’s Evian Festival; Italy; Austria; Hungary; Ireland; the 1998 World Exposition in Lisbon, Portugal; the Sarasota Music Festival in Sarasota, Florida; the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California; and the National Orchestral Institute in College Park, Maryland. His teachers include William Winstead, Linda Harwell, Phillip Kolker, Denis Michel, Manuel Zegler, and David Fedderly.

Alex became a member of the United States Air Force Academy Band in 1998. He currently serves as principal bassoonist of the Concert Band and as bassoonist of the Academy Winds, a unique and dynamic group that blends the sounds of a woodwind quintet plus percussion. Through the United States Air Force Academy Band, he has had the opportunity to travel across the United States giving performances and masterclasses, and has worked closely with music students ranging from middle school to college. Mr. Vieira has been featured several times as a soloist with the Concert Band and Academy Winds and has recently recorded the Concerto for Bassoon and Winds by Hungarian composer Frigyes Hidas with the United States Air Force Academy Band. Alex is a regular recitalist in Colorado Springs, having been featured in the band’s Fine Arts Recital Series at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and Packard Hall, and also the Thursday Night Recital Series at the Colorado Springs School’s Louisa Center for the Performing Arts.

Alex enjoys making music with his extremely talented wife, violinist Azi Vieira, whenever they get a chance. When they are not making music together, they enjoy many outdoor pursuits such as cycling, hiking, camping, and tinkering with their growing collection of bicycles and vintage Volkswagens.