Composer Margot Dean’s works are borne out of a deep knowledge of and talent in music, recognised in the international magazine, Das Orchester.

As Section Principal Bassoon with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, she received glowing reviews for Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. Her performance of Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto was described by The Advertiser, Adelaide as “rich in…a virtuosity that made this the evening’s outstanding performance.”

Musica Viva wrote in a personal letter to Margot that Stephen Cleobury, Music Director, King’s College, Cambridge, “has repeatedly remarked to us how delighted he was with you.”

Margot was devastated to have to give up performing mid-career due to health reasons but has now pivoted to creating musical compositions of the highest calibre, that are “able to literally enchant and captivate… [and] bear witness to a profound knowledge of playing technique,” according to Das Orchester.

She is remembered for her seminal performance on national television in the ABC Young Performers Awards 1994, where she was a winner of the Instrumental section, in an appearance that inspired other young musicians to follow in her footsteps. The Canberra Times wrote: “I was immensely impressed with bassoonist Margot Lee…”, using the name by which she was known at the time.

As an international soloist she wowed audiences in Germany and Russia and performed in European orchestras.

In her role as teacher of Bassoon at the University of Adelaide she passed on her virtuosity to emerging musicians.

She now pours herself into producing works for bassoon, choral and vocal gems, orchestral delights, and instrumental fantasies.

We warmly invite you to discover her engaging writing and to find uplifting sheet music for your next performance, as you settle in to browsing this site.