ClarinetFest® is upon us once again, hosted by the historic University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. The University of Kansas was established in 1891 as one of the first national institutions to offer professional degrees in the arts, making it an appropriate site for this year’s “Inspirations” ClarinetFest® 2016 theme. This year the fest is focusing on five great clarinetists who inspired the creation of our greatest repertoire. These clarinetists are 18th-century Anton Stadler; 19th-century Heinrich Baermann, Johann Hermstedt and Richard Mūhlfeld; and 20th-century Benny Goodman. Performances and clinics will highlight the lives, careers and legacies of these clarinetists throughout the festival.
There will be additional “inspirations” to be found throughout the conference, one being a concert series called Forgotten Gems. This series will highlight works for clarinet that have been forgotten or overlooked and will be reintroduced to the clarinet community on Friday and Saturday in the Swarthout Recital Hall.
The festival is made possible by the support of the ICA’s generous sponsors. Be sure to attend some of the very ambitious and unique sponsored concerts throughout the festival:
Platinum Sponsor Backun Musical Services
- “An Unlikely Muse” Wednesday Night at 7 p.m. in the Lied Center Auditorium
- Performers: Harry Clark, playwright; Jack Gilpin as Richard Mühlfeld; David Shifrin, clarinet; André Watts, piano; and the Miró Quartet
- “Backun Artist Recital” Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Crafton Preyer Theatre
- Performers: clarinets Bil Jackson, Eugene Mondie, Raphael Sanders,
Miró Quartet
- Performers: clarinets Bil Jackson, Eugene Mondie, Raphael Sanders,
Platinum Sponsor Buffet Crampon
- “Buffet Artist Pierre Génisson“ Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the Crafton Preyer Theatre
- “Final Evening Extravaganza” Saturday at 8:15 p.m. in the Lied Center Auditorium
- Performers: bass clarinetists Sauro Berti, J. Lawrie Bloom and Alcides Rodriguez; clarinetists Philippe Cuper, Pierre Génisson, Jonathan Gunn and Eddy Vanoosthuyse; and Ellen Sommer, piano
- Buffet Crampon will be hosting an opening reception on Wednesday, August 3rd at 8pm at the Oread Hotel (5th terrace, room 521) showcasing new instruments and accessories including their Tradition and Prodige models. The reception will include performances from the artistic design team and Buffet Crampon artists.
Gold Sponsor D’Addario Woodwinds
- “Concerto Night” Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Lied Center Auditorium
- Performers: David Neely, conductor; Kansas Sinfonietta; clarinetists Benjamin Lulich, Lee Livengood, Eddy Vanoosthuyse, Jonathan Gunn and Ricardo Morales; Kirsten Gunlogson, mezzo-soprano; Stephan Vermeersch, Rocco Parisi, Sauro Berti, and Richard Nunemaker in a premiere of Four New Brothers for 4 Bass Clarinets and Orchestra, commissioned especially for this event.
- “D’Addario Woodwinds Artists Recital’ Saturday at 2 pm in the Crafton Preyer Theatre
- Performers: augmented bass clarinet Matthias Muller; clarinetists Wesley Ferreira, Martin Castillos, Jose Garcia Taborda, Luis Vargas, Javier Vinasco, John Warren, Kimberly Cole Luevano; bass clarinetists Henri Bok and J. Lawrie Bloom; Timothy Burns, piano; Stephan Vermeersch, conductor
Gold Sponsor Vandoren
- “ClarinetFest® All-Star Big Band” Thursday night at 8:15 p.m. in the Lied Center Auditorium
- Performers: Eddie Daniels, clarinet; ClarinetFest® All-Star Big Band; Dan Gailey, conductor
- “Vandoren Artists Recital” Friday at 1:30 p.m. in the Crafton Preyer Theatre
- Performers: clarinetists Philippe Cuper, David Gould, Michael Lowenstern (bass clarinet), Elodie Roudet, Vandoren Clarinet Ensemble and Gail Novak, piano
Silver Sponsor RZ Woodwind Manufacturing
- “RZ Woodwind Artists Recital – Milan Rericha” Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Swarthout Recital Hall
- Additional Performers: Fatima Alieva, piano
- Additional Performers: Fatima Alieva, piano
Bronze Sponsor Selmer
- “Selmer Artists Recital” Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in the Crafton Preyer Theatre
- Performers: clarinetists Jonathan Holden, Michael Norsworthy, Wesley Ferreira and Kimberly Cole Luevano; the HAVEN TRIO, comprised of Kimberly Cole Luevano, clarinet, Lindsay Kesselman, soprano, and Midori Koga, piano
Bronze Sponsor Silverstein Works
- “Homage to Astor Piazzolla” Saturday at 4 pm in the Crafton Preyer Theatre
- Performers: clarinetists Blake Arrington, Sauro Berti, David Blumberg, Mary Alice Druhan, Joshua Gardner, Stefanie Gardner, Caroline Hartig, Tod Kerstetter, Maryanne Lacaille, Meghan Merciers, Ron Odrich, Rocco Parisi, Thomas Piercy, Milan Rericha, Raphael Sanders, Steven Silverstein, Stephan Vermeersch and Jiung Yoon on piano
Bronze Sponsor Yamaha
- Presentation “How to Incorporate Elements of Dalcroze Eurhythmics into Your Clarinet Practice and Teaching” presented by Lori Baruth, Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Inge Memorial Theatre
Additionally, you can meet the sponsors in person by exploring the exhibit hall, which opens on Thursday! See the new products on display and chat with vendors to find the best gear and equipment for you. As always, have a wonderful ClarinetFest® and keep your eyes on this page to catch up on the events that you may miss during the conference. Happy Festing!
Report by Melissa Morales
Melissa served as adjunct Music Education faculty at DePaul University for 2015-2016 as well as clarinet faculty and project manager at The People’s Music School from 2013-2016. She currently serves as the Director of Education for the Chicago Symphonic Winds and performs with the Chicago Summer Opera.
