David Scholl

String Bass | Madison, WI

Double Bassist David Scholl leads an active career as a performer and educator. He currently serves as principal bass of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and the Quad City Symphony, and has previously held positions with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra. 

An accomplished chamber musician, Scholl has appeared at Midsummer’s Music Festival and on faculty recital series at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, as well as with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s MusicNOW series, the University of Chicago’s Contempo series, and Bach, Dancing, and Dynamite Society. Additional chamber collaborations include performances with the Pro Arte Quartet and Spektral Quartet. 

Dedicated to music education, Scholl teaches in a wide range of settings. Alongside maintaining a private studio, he regularly presents bass masterclasses and coaches orchestral sectionals throughout the Midwest. From 2017 to 2020, he served as interim bass instructor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is currently a sectional coach with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra and serves on the bass faculty at both the Music Makers program and the Madison Conservatory. 

Scholl earned both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University, where he studied with Bruce Bransby. His additional training includes performing as principal bass of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, as well as participation in the Aspen Music Festival, and studies with Alex Hanna.