Gudrun Raschen

Gudrun Raschen has extensive experience in solo, orchestral, and chamber music on the double bass and cello. She has given concerts in the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, Vietnam, South Africa, and Namibia. She has taught and performed at the Pan American Music Festival in South Texas (2008), the International Chamber Music Festival in South Africa (2005/2012), the International Bass Convention in Poland (2011), Oficina de Música in Curitiba, Brazil (2011), the International Chamber Music Festival in Positano, Italy (2011/2013/2015), the Arts Festival Autumn Melodies in Vietnam (2015/18), the Performing Arts Festival in Hawaii (2016/17/18/19/22, 24, 25), the International String Convention in South Africa (2023), and the New England Music Camp in Maine (2023). In addition, she helped establish the Mittenwald International Double Bass Masterclasses in Germany (2006), where she taught for several years. In the US, she has performed with the Fort Worth, Richardson, Wichita Falls, Miami Symphony, Dallas, and Texas Chamber Orchestras, and in early music concerts with the American Baroque Opera, Denton Bach Society, Orchestra of New Spain, Texas Camerata, Fantasmi, Fleurs de Lys, and Ensemble VIII. She has toured with ensembles in Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, and Vietnam.

Dr. Raschen teaches double bass at the University of North Texas. Her former students have won the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition, the American String Teachers Competition (both Junior and Senior levels), and the Eisenmann International Concerto Competition (1st and 3rd prizes). They have also been second-prize winners at the Sphinx and third-prize winners at the Prix Orford Musique competitions, first-prize winners at the Louisiana Bass Festival Solo/Orchestral competitions and the Denton Bach Society Solo Competition, and finalists in the Stulberg and Klein competitions.

Her students have been accepted to study at the Juilliard School, Colburn School, Curtis Institute, Oberlin Conservatory, Boston University, Manhattan School of Music, Northwestern University, University of Michigan, Indiana University, Peabody Conservatory, New England Conservatory, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, and UT Austin. In 2024 and 2025, the only students accepted into Juilliard’s early music program were her students.

Her former students have performed concertos with orchestras, hold permanent positions in semi-professional and professional orchestras in the United States and abroad, and have played as substitutes with the New York Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and Houston Symphony. Recent highlights of her students winning permanent positions include Dallas Symphony Associate Principal Bass, Nova Scotia Principal Bass, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, Turku Philharmonic, Grant Park Section Bass, and Vancouver Symphony Section Bass (one-year position).  Many have developed a passion for teaching and are teaching in higher education, schools, music programs, and private studios.