David Mitchell is the Associate Principal Bassoon in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Before joining QSO in 2009, he was Solo Bassoonist in the Hofer Symphoniker, Germany. Additionally, David has appeared guest bassoonist with numerous orchestras around the world including Australia, Malaysia and Germany working with the finest conductors including Christoph Eschenbach, Valery Gergiev and Riccardo Muti.

David enjoys a vibrant carrier in both solo and chamber music. He is one of the founding members of Ensemble Q, ensemble in residence at the Queensland Conservatorium and Queensland Performing Arts Centre, which performs a vibrant season in Brisbane and throughout Australia including a 2021 National Musica Viva Tour. David’s solo performances include Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto and Strauss’ Duo Concertante.

Born in Cairns, David studied Bassoon at the Sydney Conservatorium with John Cran, and was a member of Australian National Academy of Music and Australian Youth Orchestra. Following his studies in Australia, he continued his studies in Germany at the Musik-Hochschulen in Weimar, Frankfurt and Cologne studying bassoon with David Petersen and Prof Georg Klütsch. He was a member of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival Academy, Germany, and attended numerous masterclasses including with Matthew Wilkie, Dag Jensen and Klaus Thunemann.

Sharing his passion for training and education, David is sessional staff at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University teaching both bassoon and chamber music. He tutors the Australian Youth Orchestra and Queensland Youth Orchestras. David also lecturers at numerous master classes and community programs for bassoon students of all ages and levels, as well as professional development for music teachers across Australia.

David Mitchell’s appearance in the 2023 Brisbane Music Festival is supported by Michael Kenny.