Four years seems like a long time to a newly minted freshman, yet most college graduates will tell you that this time will be over in a blink of an eye. For Chelsea Hurst, this chapter of her life has sadly come to an end but a new and exciting one is just about to begin.
In her senior year at BYU, Hurst has been first chair in both the Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras. She has also had the privilege of touring Europe twice which she feels has greatly enhanced her experience at BYU.
In 2012, while touring in Western Europe with the BYU Wind Symphony she had a memorable moment with a local member in Berlin.
“This was one of the last tours where they allowed students to stay with host families,” she said “My host parents were an elderly couple and it was really amazing because the sister played the bassoon. Luckily, I had my bassoon with me so I asked her if she wanted to play together and it ended up being a really special experience for me.”
Hurst began playing the bassoon when she was in the sixth grade. Starting at such a young age was highly unusual because of how difficult the bassoon is to play. Learning to play the bassoon can be very arduous because of its particular style of fingering. Often, bassoonists find it challenging to get their fingers to play the high notes. The fingering can make it even more problematic when they are asked to play fast. This is why generally musicians will first learn on the clarinet or oboe to help ease them into learning the bassoon.
“For the first couple of years when I was learning how to play the bassoon, I actually had to teach myself because my family couldn’t afford lessons,” said Hurst.
Later, when her family was able to pay for bassoon lessons, Hurst studied with Denise Turner, a music professor at the University of New Mexico. It was also around this time that Hurst learned to play the Celtic harp, which she learned by baby-sitting for her teacher in exchange for free lessons.
When the time came for Hurst to choose where she wanted to go to college, she knew that she wanted to go somewhere where she could improve her skills as a musician. With her mom’s help, she was able to do a lot of research about different schools. Hurst’s research ultimately led her to BYU.
“The reason why I came to BYU was because of its amazing music program,” said Hurst. “I had heard so many spectacular things about the program and I knew that it would a great environment and a great place for me to grow.”
After four years, Hurst is grateful for the opportunity that she has had to study at BYU and is sad that it has come to an end. But like most seniors, she is excited for the future.
“My husband graduated a year and a half ago and he has patiently waited for me to finish school,” Hurst said. “So this fall we will be moving to North Carolina and my husband will be going to graduate school. I am really excited because I think this will be a great opportunity for me to get involved in community orchestras and teach bassoon lessons while we are living there. Also, this will give me an opportunity to share with people the many things that I learned while I was here at BYU.”