Ian Davidson
Ian Davidson has appeared as soloist and chamber musician on six continents as part of forty-nine international concert tours. He is English Horn and Associate Principal Oboe of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Principal Oboe of the Austin Opera Orchestra. Other engagements include stints as Principal Oboe of the Dallas Bach Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Dallas and the Austin Sinfonietta as well as Assistant Principal Oboe of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, Principal Oboe of the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, and Solo English Horn of the Bear Valley Music Festival. Appearances as Guest Principal Oboe include the San Antonio Philharmonic, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Opera Orchestra.
Among his 77 concerto appearances include performances with the Dallas Bach Orchestra, Austin Chamber Orchestra, Austin Sinfonietta, Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Laredo Philharmonic, Chamber Soloists of Austin, Blue Lake Festival Orchestra, Dallas Bach Orchestra, Balcones Chamber Orchestra, Texas Bach Festival Orchestra and the Bear Valley Symphony Orchestra. International recitals and residencies include the Moscow Conservatory of Music, Hong Kong Baptist University, the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, Manuel da Falla Conservatory of Music in Madrid, Bangalore Conservatory of Music, the Prague Conservatory of Music, the University of Silesia, Trinity College of Music in London, the Institute of Culture in St. Petersburg, the University of Piui in Brazil, Conservatory of Music in Ibague, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa, EAFIT University in Medellin, the University of Guadalajra, the University of the Americas in Quito, the Conservatory of Music in Monterrey, and the State Conservatory of Music in Bratislava.
His festival appearances include the Aspen Music Festival, the Victoria Bach Festival, the Grand Teton Music Festival, the Texas Bach Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, Music from Mason Music Festival, Bear Valley Music Festival, Blue Lake Festival, Mendocino Music Festival, Festivale da Musica Camera, Assisi Chamber Music Festival, Festivale dei due Mondi, and RioWinds.
Film credits include the movies “Spy Kids II” (with Antonio Banderas, Karla Gugino, Steve Buscemi, Alan Cumming, Tony Shalhoub), “To The Wonder”, (with Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Rachel McAdams, Olga Kurylenko) “Knight of Cups” (with Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Brian Denehey, Nick Offerman), “The Vessel” (with Martin Sheen) and director Megan Mylan’s “Simple as Water” for HBO films. Among his numerous CD recordings are – eleven recordings with the Wild Basin Winds as well as recordings with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Soloists of Austin, Conspirare, The Pleasant Street Players, and Trio88. All are available on iTunes, Spotify and Apple Music.
Among Ian compositions are “Scenes at The Ranch” premiered at the 2012 IDRS Convention, “Tableaux del Norte” premiered at the 2013 IDRS Convention, “Boxes” premiered at the 2017 IDRS Convention and “Five Works of Jackson Pollock” premiered at the 2021 RioWinds International Festival of Music. Ian publishes with TrevCo Music of Middlebury, Connecticut.
Ian has been recognized for outstanding contributions in teaching, service, and scholarly and creative activity. He has twice been nominated by the Austin Critics Round Table as “Best Instrumental Soloist of the Year”, and at Texas State University he has the received the Presidential Distinction Award, College Achievement Award and the Presidential Award for Outstanding Scholarly / Creative Activities. He has twice been twice named “Favorite Professor” by the Alpha Chi Honor Society, and twice invited to present the Dean’s Seminar. A GRAMMY Nominee, Ian is a member of The Recording Academy and every year votes on the prestigious award. Conference and Convention performances include the Texas Music Educator’s Association, Texas Band Master’s Association, National Flute Association, International Clarinet Association, International Trumpet Guild, Society of Composer’s International, NACUSA, International Viola Society, National Guitar Association, Regional College Music Society Conventions, The College Music Society National and International Conventions, and seven performances at the International Double Reed Society Convention.
Dr. Davidson holds degrees from DePauw University and the University of Texas. In 2013 he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of DePauw University and in 2014 was awarded, by DePauw, the award for Outstanding Achievement in Creative and Performing Arts. From 2018-2022 he served as a member of the DePauw Centers Advisory Board. A Fulbright Scholar, Ian has served as a Fulbright Senior Specialist with the United States Department of State from 2013-2018. In 2013 and 2014 he travelled to Tanzania to work with students and faculty at Tumaini University in Usa River.
In 2014 Dr. Davidson was named University Distinguished Professor by Texas State University and, in the same year, Regents’ Professor by the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System.
A sponsored artist, Ian records and performs exclusively on Oboes and English horns manufactured by F. Loree in Paris.