Sidney King

Sidney A. King’s multi-faceted career as a double bassist, composer and arranger spans over three decades. Since 1992, he has performed at the orchestra of the Grand Teton Music Festival, often serving in titled positions. He has served as principal bassist with the Houston Grand Opera, the Texas Opera Theater, the Sunflower Music Festival, and the Des Moines Metro Opera, and has performed with the symphonies of the Detroit, Cincinnati, Houston, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Nashville, as well as as the Louisiana Philharmonic and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He held the position of assistant principal bassist of the Louisville Orchestra from 1984-2006. As a recitalist, Mr. King has presented solo performances at universities and conservatories throughout North America. Recent performances include recitals at the University of Minnesota, University of Tennessee, Loyola University, Ohio University, and the University of Costa Rica in San Jose, CR.

Mr. King serves as Professor of Double Bass and Music Education at the University of Louisville School of Music. He was double bass faculty/artist at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, 2005-2017. He also served on the Board of Directors of the American String Teachers Association (2016-2018) and the International Society of Bassists (2003-2005). In 2011 and 2015, he was named Teacher of the Year by the American String Teachers Association of Kentucky.

As a composer, Mr. King has received commissions from many diverse organizations and his compositions have been performed throughout the country. Recent premieres have included Duende al Rojo for solo double bass and string orchestra commissioned by the Youth Performing Arts High School of Louisville, Es ist ein ros ensprugen commissioned by the Freudig Singers of Western New York, Hazelhurst Suite for solo double bass, and Tangos de los Angeles for double bass and harp. Commissioned by the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Entre Dos Luces for solo double bass and orchestra was premiered in July 2013. Recent pedagogical works for string orchestra include Sueños Sureños, premiered in 2016 by the Walton High School (GA) Chamber Orchestra at the 2016 GMEA conference, and Rasguelo!, Farruca for Strings, premiered by the Floyd Central High School (IN) Baroque Strings at the 2016 ISSMA Competition. As performer, composer and arranger with the nationally prominent flamenco ensemble Al Sur, Mr. King appeared on concert stages, in theaters, and on broadcasts throughout the country. His compositions are published by Really Good Music and St. James Music Press.

Mr. King is an expert sports fisherman whose fly designs have been marketed nationwide.