Oboist Abigail Bracken developed a love of music alongside her sister Sophia, a clarinetist. She is dedicated to expanding the repertoire of clarinet and oboe duets. In addition to performing many lesser-known works, Abigail has taken matters into her own hands and arranged music for this duo. Three of these works were published by TrevCo Music in 2023, and she plans to publish more throughout 2024.

Abigail is a proponent of increasing LGBTQ+ representation in classical music. She is a founding member of OUT Ensemble, a wind quintet of all-LGBTQ+ musicians that celebrates queer composers, represents diverse communities, and inspires listeners to embrace their authentic identities. As a member of the International Pride Orchestra in June 2023, she premiered Steven Luksan’s Quintet and played in the orchestra’s premiere performance of Loud! by Jimmy Bellido Lopez. Bracken hopes to continue to shine a spotlight on queer performers and composers throughout her career.

Bracken has a passion for performing music that innovates classical training and draws people together. As a soloist, she performed with the Jacobs School of Music University Orchestra on Reena Esmail’s RE|Member for live and pre-recorded solo oboe, a production that united the orchestra with the school’s audio-visual team in creating the final live performance. Bracken’s involvement in community work dates back to performances at the Court House Cultural Center in Stuart, FL, where she volunteered her time for the Sunset Concert Series organized by Dr. Marie Jureit-Beamish. Concertgoers were treated to an immersive experience of visual art accompanied by live performances.

Bracken received her Bachelor of Music from Indiana University in May 2024, where she studied with Linda Strommen.