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BHEN and CASSI's story The birth of BHEN and CASSIBHEN the (Bassoon Hanger ExtroidiNaire) and CASSI (Counterbalance And Support System for Instruments) Our daughter, Katie is not the only person to face losing her music scholarship due to an injury. In November, 2000, while attending a choral rehearsal, we met up with the Director of the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. He asked us for a business card because one of the schools' bassoon students had been injured in an auto accident and could not support more than five pounds. Obviously, managing the weight of a top-heavy instrument like the bassoon was clearly out of the question. Using the SAX-ON as a starting point, we developed a support system which would take all the weight of the bassoon off the players' body. This leaves the player free to simply play the instrument without using a neck strap or a seat strap. The optional counter balance feature allows the angle of the bassoon to be adjusted to the most comfortable position for the player. The young bassoonist is now back in school finishing her music degree. Three months after beginning practice with her BHEN and CASSI system, she called us with great excitement to tell us that she had made the Wind Ensemble audition. It has brought us a great deal of joy to be able to help a young person look forward to the many years of playing she has ahead of her. Since this initial encounter, we have discovered that there are many bassoonists who are forced to give up their instrument due to injury or physiological changes associated with years of playing. As with the SAX-ON, we sold our demo BHEN and CASSI at the first conference where it was exhibited. We continue to receive enthusiastic reports from teachers, students and players who use the BHEN & CASSI support system.