BASSOONIST'S NEW GIG HIS MAGNUM OPUS; T.O. HIGH GRAD DEFIES ODDS.

Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer

Bassoonist Chad Alexander remembers the warnings of his friends' parents when he told them that he planned to make his career in music: ``You're going to be poor.''

But the former bassoonist with the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra recently disproved those dispiriting predictions when he landed a spot with the New World Symphony of Miami Beach, Fla.

``It's just a major opportunity for him,'' said his mother, Carol Alexander, who conducts the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra. ``It would be equivalent to a local athlete getting into the Olympics.''

In May 1996, Chad Alexander earned his master's from The Julliard School, and has been supporting himself as a free-lance musician. Last year, he worked as a substitute for the New World Symphony, and earned the permanent seat this spring after two of the three bassoonist spots became vacant.

The symphony was founded in 1987 to provide professional opportunities for younger players, conductors and composers. It comprises young performers from all over the world, and is led by renowned conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, the music director of the San Francisco Symphony.

``This is a really good stepping stone between school and a real-job situation,'' Chad Alexander said. ``It's basically school without classes.''

Becoming a member of a major orchestra has been Chad's goal since high school, Carol Alexander said. He graduated from Thousand Oaks High School in 1987.

``He's worked very hard and we're very proud of him,'' she said.

Chad Alexander started playing piano and clarinet, but switched to the bassoon during the summer before eighth grade and has stuck with it ever since.

``I just thought it was a neat-looking instrument'' with an interesting sound, he said. ``It's just unusual for a little kid to want to play the bassoon. A lot of people thought I was crazy.''

Chad Alexander's love for music was evident at a young age, said Howard Sonstegard, music director of the Conejo Valley Symphony Orchestra.

``It was obvious at that time that not only did he have a lot of talent, but a lot of desire to become proficient at music,'' Sonstegard said. ``He was always one of the premier musicians in the group.''

Chad Alexander always sought good teachers and opportunities to learn and play, he said.

``He was interested in being the best he could be,'' Sonstegard said. ``It was very apparent that with his tone quality and his technique that he was a talent.''

One bassoon instructor said it was no surprise that his former pupil had achieved something great.

``He was one of my best students,'' said Jack Marsh. ``I really feel proud that I had a hand in getting him started.''

Chad Alexander was skilled both technically and artistically, said Marsh, who played bassoon in the score for ``Jaws'' and various John Wayne movies.

``He came by it naturally,'' he said. ``Chad was a standout. He was the best.''

Members of the New World Symphony make frequent visits to Florida schools to play for children and to combat a declining interest in classical music, Chad Alexander said.

``It certainly makes your day more full, but if we don't do that there'll be no one left to listen,'' he said.

The members of the orchestra live in a hotel that was converted to a dormitory in Miami Beach's fashionable Art Deco district. Members can remain a part of the orchestra for up to three years.

The symphony has a good track record of placing people in major orchestras in cities around the country, Chad Alexander said.

``With the way this field is going, we need all the help we can get,'' he said.

Every large orchestra has just three or four chairs for bassoonists, he said. But because the bassoon is one of the less-popular instruments, not many musicians will be competing for those seats.

``All of the conservatories all across the country are churning out well-qualified performers,'' he said. ``There's less jobs to have for all those people.''

Chad is not the first alum of the Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra to go on to bigger and better musical things, his mother said. So far, 39 former members have majored in music performance or education at such prestigious music schools as Northwestern and Julliard.

Chad Alexander is thankful for the support he received for his profession. He hopes that other students with musical ambitions will realize that they don't have to listen to naysayers who say they're ``going to be poor.''

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PHOTO Chad Alexander