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Fernando Zúñiga is a prominent Costa Rican musician who earned his degrees at the University of Arizona, where he achieved the DMA in bassoon performance, at Baylor University, where he achieved the MM in bassoon and piano performance, and at the University of Costa Rica. , where he obtained his Bachelor's and Licenciatura’s degrees in bassoon and piano performance.

He has taken part in international engagements throughout his career, including the Conference of the International Double Reed Society (IDRS) in Buenos Aires, Austin, Ithaca, Redlands, New York, and Columbus, as well as recitals in various regions of the United States and Mexico, among other countries.

As a soloist, he has had the opportunity to perform with various orchestras and ensembles, including the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, the Sewanee Festival Orchestra, the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, the Truman State University Symphony Orchestra, the Heredia Municipal Symphony Orchestra, the Cartago Symphony Orchestra, the Cartago Concert Band, the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama and the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Costa Rica (OSUCR), among others.

In addition, he has held the principal bassoon position at several orchestras, such as the University of Costa Rica Symphony Orchestra, the Baylor Symphony, the Baylor Wind Ensemble, the Waco Symphony Orchestra, the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona Symphony Orchestra. He has also collaborated as a contrabassoonist with the Costa Rican National Symphony Orchestra and the Waco Symphony Orchestra.

In 2017, Fernando Zúñiga carried out the first record production for solo bassoon of Costa Rican music, entitled "Historias", which includes six works written especially for this occasion.

In an effort to experiment with new bassoon playing techniques, he founded the group "Electrofagot" in 2019. This group's goal is to use multi-effects pedalboards to include electronics into bassoon performance. The advanced bassoon students are asked to volunteer for this project, which is envisioned as a teaching endeavor.

Currently, Fernando Zúñiga works as a professor at the School of Musical Arts of the University of Costa Rica, and continues to stand out in the world of music with his interpretations and innovative projects.

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Fernando’s composition, Concerto for bassoon and strings Mamba Mambo was awarded the National Composition Prize of Costa Rica “Carlos Enrique Vargas” in 2024.

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Fernando plays a Moosmann M200CL-FLP bassoon.

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Fernando Zúñiga-Chanto. Concerto Mamba Mambo for bassoon and strings
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Fernando Zúñiga-Chanto. Concerto Mamba Mambo for bassoon and strings

Concerto Mamba Mambo for bassoon and strings Fernando Zúñiga-Chanto, composer The black mamba, one of the most venomous snakes on the African continent, inspires the first movement of this concerto. This beginning represents the awakening of the snake, with delicate and sensual movements. As it progresses, it turns into a dance that transforms into an intense battle between the snake and its prey, culminating in a hypnotic ending marked by a waltz of death. On the other hand, the “Mambo” emerges as a genre that reflects African influence in America, being one of the most recognized Latin rhythms. In this movement, after the confrontation with the Mamba, we find ourselves at a vibrant party full of color and dance, where a final flash briefly evokes the struggle with the snake, but concluding in a festive celebration. This piece was finished and premiered by the composer con October 9th, 2024, in San José, Costa Rica. The Concerto Mamba Mambo was awarded the National Composition Prize "Carlos Enrique Vargas" 2024, by the Government of Costa Rica Concierto Mamba Mambo para fagot y cuerdas Fernando Zúñiga Chanto, compositor La mamba negra, una de las serpientes más venenosas del continente africano, inspira el primer movimiento de este concierto. Este inicio representa el despertar de la serpiente, con movimientos delicados y sensuales. A medida que avanza, se convierte en una danza que se transforma en una intensa batalla entre la serpiente y su presa, culminando en un final hipnótico marcado por un vals de la muerte. Por otro lado, el “Mambo” surge como un género que refleja la influencia africana en América, siendo uno de los ritmos latinos más reconocidos. En este movimiento, tras la confrontación con la Mamba, nos encontramos en una vibrante fiesta llena de color y baile, donde un destello final evoca brevemente la lucha con la serpiente, pero concluyendo en una celebración festiva. Esta obra fué finalizada y estrenada por el compositor el 9 de octubre de 2024, en San José, Costa Rica El Concierto Mamba Mambo fué acreedora del Premio Nacional de Composición "Carlos Enrique Vargas" 2024, otorgado por el Gobierno de Costa Rica Fernando Zúñiga Chanto, fagot Mariana Ramírez Lizano, violín Abigail Murillo Jiménez, violín Orquídea Guandique Araniva, viola Blanca Guandique Araniva, cello Pedro García Rivera, contrabajo 9 de octubre, 2024 Sala María Clara Cullell Escuela de Artes Musicales Universidad de Costa Rica ​

Sunset Song, by composer Miguel del Aguila
Performed Live, at IDRS 2016, june 28th, Columbus State University

 

Fernando Zúñiga, bassoon  -   Susan Hoskins, piano

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©2025 by Fernando Zúñiga

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