Deidre Sanders
Bassoon
Member Since 2010

My first instrument was clarinet and I wasn't very good. When I was in middle school our bassoonist quit and the second clarinets had to cover the part. We weren't happy about it and decided to complain. I got the short straw, shared our unhappiness with the band director, who then told me, "Fine, you no longer have to play the bassoon part on clarinet." He then gave me a Rubank beginning bassoon book, a reed, and a bassoon and informed me, "congratulations! You're our new bassoonist." I taught myself for two years, then began lessons as a freshman in high school and had to then relearn the instrument to play "correctly". Three years later I won a music performance scholarship to USC. I quickly learned that the music school and I were not compatible and instead graduated with a dual degree in history and international relations. After a seven year break, I began playing again with various community orchestras in the Washington DC area and Southern California before moving to the Bay Area.

I joined OCO about eight years ago...but as a substitute trombone player because they didn't need bassoons at the time. I eventually started subbing on bassoon, and then became a regular member of the orchestra about six years ago. I admit I've been a bit of a musical gadfly, learning different wind instruments well-enough to be proficient. In addition to bassoon and trombone I also play clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet. I'm also working to develop as a jazz vocalist and becoming a capable improvisor on bassoon.

In my day job I'm the Director of Government and Community Affairs for East Bay Community Energy in Alameda County. It is a joint powers public agency authorized by the County and most of its cities to begin buying power this year for the residents and businesses in Alameda County for less cost and with lower carbon content.