About
Hi, I'm Mason
Bassoonist, composer, and educator focused on meaningful performance and original music.
Creating musical experiences
I'm Mason Cox, a freelance bassoonist and composer currently pursuing my DMA in bassoon with a cognate in composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
I compose music rooted in counterculture that explores varied aesthetics within classical music. As a bassoonist, I have performed with many regional orchestras and taught privately in Arizona, California, Louisiana, and Illinois.
Experience
2025 — 2028
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Teaching undergraduate bassoon lessons, coaching chamber ensembles, and leading the music education bassoon methods course.
2025 — 2028
Doctorate of Music
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Studied bassoon performance and continued composition studies.
2023 — 2025
Master of Music
Louisiana State University
Studied bassoon performance and continued to explore composition and new music.
2023 — 2025
Graduate Assistant
Louisiana State University
Taught undergraduate bassoon and reed lessons, supported the dean of graduate studies office with evaluations, corresponded with prospective students, and helped organize the annual double reed day.
2019 — 2023
Bachelor of Music
Arizona State University
Studied bassoon performance and music theory.
