William Hestand

Biography

William Hestand is Professor of Bassoon at Montclair State University and a member of the Montclair State University Faculty Woodwind Quintet.

A versatile and highly sought-after performer, Hestand has performed with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2014 and was appointed Rostered Associate Bassoon in 2022. Since 2022, he has also appeared regularly with the New York Philharmonic, performing contrabassoon on a near-weekly basis.

Hestand previously served as Second Bassoonist of The Cleveland Orchestra, Principal and Second Bassoonist of the Albany Symphony, and Principal Bassoonist of the Brooklyn Philharmonic. He also performs frequently with leading ensembles including American Ballet Theatre, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Riverside Symphony, the American Symphony Orchestra, and the American Composers Orchestra.

An active chamber musician and soloist, Hestand has performed throughout the United States and internationally. His appearances include the Salzburg Music Festival, Skaneateles Festival, Lancaster Festival, concerts in the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic, and performances at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall as part of the Metropolitan Opera’s Chamber Music Series.

In addition to his performing career, Hestand is deeply committed to music education. He teaches bassoon reed making, bassoon, and contrabassoon at New York University and serves as an adjunct faculty member at The Juilliard School, where he teaches contrabassoon. He has also presented masterclasses and reed-making workshops at institutions including the University of Massachusetts, Manhattan School of Music, and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Hestand can be heard on numerous film and television soundtracks, including the Academy Award-winning score for Joker. He has also appeared in multiple Live from Lincoln Center broadcasts with the Metropolitan Opera, including the Grammy-nominated 2019 performance of Der Rosenkavalier.