Mark Ortwein is the Assistant Principal Bassoonist/Contra in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He attended Loyola University in New Orleans majoring in bassoon and jazz saxophone. Mark transferred to Boston University and received a Bachelor’s degree. Mark joined the US Air Force Band at March AFB as a saxophonist and later moved to the Air Force Academy as principal bassoonist. He then went to the CCM for his Masters. Mark has performed all over the world in many different venues, ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ole Opry and MTV. He has studied bassoon with William Winstead, Matt Ruggiero, Crawford Best, Jon Beebe and Yoshi Ishikawa. Mark was the featured soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra playing “Escapades for Alto Saxophone” written and conducted by John Williams. Mark is a Yamaha and D’Addario Performing Artist. Ortwein has two albums (Jazz and Classical) out on all the streaming sites.