Alan Fox

Alan Fox’s father played in the symphony orchestra in Fort Wayne, Indiana before being drafted for service in World War I. After the war, he began making reeds and in 1923 joined the Chicago Symphony as the bassoonist. He formed Fox Music, making bassoons, in 1949 and ten years later Alan, who was trained as a chemical engineer, came back to help his father in poor health. Alan stayed and ultimately expanded the product line to include the contra bassoon, oboe, and the English horn. Alan also helped create the Double Reed Society, which has been a very important organization in broadening the field both in memberships around the world and with its educational component.