With co-founders Leah Forsyth (oboe) and Paul Forsyth (saxophone), the Three Reeds Duo is a unique ensemble consisting of solely an oboe and saxophone. This duo, formed in 2005, has begun building a repertoire catalogue for this unique combination of instruments, ranging from newly commissioned works, to transcriptions of standard repertoire. Three Reeds has performed in a variety of venues throughout the United States, Europe, and South America, ranging from World Saxophone Congresses to International Double Reed Society conventions and collegiate recitals. The Duo has recorded two albums on Blue Griffin Records, their debut CD, signals cross, as well as their second album, Metamorphosis. In 2024, Three Reeds hosted the 3rd International Duo Symposium as Northwestern State University where they are both professors on their respective instruments. The group has commissioned many new works for Oboe/Sax duo from composers such as Alyssa Morris, Derek Brown, and Gregory Wannamaker.
Leah Forsyth serves as the Assistant Professor of Oboe at Northwestern State University. Prior to joining the NSU faculty in 2011, she served as an Oboist with the United States Army Field Band in Washington DC. Prof. Forsyth holds the position of Principal Oboe with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in Alexandria, LA, and Second Oboe with the Texarkana Symphony, and she performs regularly with the Shreveport Symphony.
Leah is a founding member of the Three Reeds Duo with husband and saxophonist Paul Forsyth. They have commissioned many new works featured on their two albums, Signals Cross (2016) and Metamorphosis (2019). A native of Central Ohio, Forsyth holds a B.M. from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory and an M.M. from Florida State University. When not making reeds, Leah can be found gardening and being an animal rescue advocate.
Dr. Paul Forsyth joined the faculty of Northwestern State University in the fall of 2007 and currently serves as Professor of Saxophone. From solo saxophone to chamber works, developing new repertoire for the saxophone continues to be one of his passions. Equally adept at both the classical and jazz repertoire, saxophonist Dr. Paul J. Forsyth has performed in a variety of venues around the world. As a chamber musician, Paul Forsyth is a member of two renowned ensembles, the Three Reeds Duo and the Iridium Quartet.
Paul received his doctoral and master’s degrees in saxophone performance from Michigan State University and his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Tennessee. His primary professors include Joseph Lulloff, Diego Rivera, Ron Blake, and Mark Tucker. Dr. Forsyth is a Yamaha Performing Artist and his favorite pastime is taking his son to the driving range on Fridays after school.