Bowing to Greatness: Gregory Allan Faught on Passion, Precision, and Performance
- WOMCO
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
Gregory Allan Faught was a Master Prize Winner in the Advanced (Age 18-22) Category, at the 2025 Season 2 Jean-Philippe Rameau International Music Competition
Biography
Gregory Faught began formal instruction on the double bass via virtual lessons from Dr. Mark Morton, Professor of Double Bass at Texas Tech University, at the age of 15. A year and a half later, he led the 2022 TMEA All-State Sinfonietta Orchestra as principal, and the following year he served as principal for the 2023 TMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra.
Since graduating from high school, Greg has continued his studies under Dr. Morton as a double bass performance major at Texas Tech where he garnered first place in the String Area Concerto Competition in both 2023 and 2024. His other notable achievements include 1st Prize in the 2023 Bellagrande International Music Competition, 2nd Prize in the 2023 Medici International Music Competition, Silver Prize in the 2023 Euterpe International Music Awards Competition, 2nd Prize in the national division of the 2024 OPUS Music Competition, and Gold Prize in the 2025 Grand Metropolitan International Music Competition. Greg was also the senior division winner of the 2025 TexASTA Concerto Competition and performed at the winners’ recital at the 2025 TMEA convention.
This summer Greg will participate in the Round Top Music Festival before heading to Rimini, Italy, for the Altschuler Summer Music Institute.
In addition to performing with the Texas Tech University Symphony Orchestra, Greg is a member of the Lubbock Symphony, the San Angelo Symphony, and the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestras.
Gregory’s instrument, a 2024 Trevor Davis double bass that was awarded a bronze medal in the 2024 Violin Society of America Maker’s Competition, has been provided through support from a generous benefactor. His bow is a German model Samuel Kolstein.
Can you introduce yourself and share how you got into music?
My older siblings play violin, and I began lessons when I was 8. I became interested in double bass when I was 13 and began private lessons via Zoom with Dr. Morton, a professor at Texas Tech University, when I was 15.
Could you tell us more about your award-winning work? For instance, how did you prepare it, bring it to life, or any interesting stories behind the scenes?
There are a few pioneering composers of double bass solo repertoire, among them Koussevitzky, Dragonetti, and Dittersdorf. But it’s Giovanni Bottesini who really stands out. I have spent the past 6 months preparing all movements from his Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor. The recording for the competition is the 3rd movement. It has it all—double stops, runs, harmonics—and it showcases perfectly what can be done on the double bass.
What do you believe defines a great Double Bass Player, and how do you incorporate your unique style into your music?
Most people would say that greatness is a combination of technical precision (bow articulation and intonation) and artistry (phrasing, rhythm, dynamics). I just know that when I hear great playing it makes me want to keep listening. At the same time, great playing motivates me to practice, to continue exploring and developing my own skills.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank (such as mentors, supporters or other team members)?
Dr. Morton has been my teacher and mentor since high school. He’s at the piano almost every time I perform, including in the recording for this competition. He has an amazing ability to explain the technical aspects of playing and guide me on artistic choices. He has always gone above and beyond to help me progress and I can’t thank him enough. I also have a very generous benefactor who recently provided me with my new bass (not the one I play in the recording) and who has funded my trip to Italy this summer. His support has been truly transformative, and I am very grateful to him.
