The International Clarinet Association is saddened to hear of the passing of James “Jim” Pyne, Emeritus Professor of Clarinet at The Ohio State University and notable mouthpiece maker.
James Pyne began his clarinet career with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, where he performed under renowned conductors such as Michael Tilson Thomas and Lukas Foss, among others. Pyne earned a BFA in music performance and education from the University of Buffalo, and he completed his MM in music performance and literature at Eastman, where he studied with celebrated clarinetist Stanley Hasty. As a teacher, Pyne was a faculty member at the Cleveland Institute of Music, University of Michigan, and SUNY Buffalo as well as SUNY Fredonia.
James Pyne made many technical and musical advancements in the world of clarinet mouthpiece manufacturing. He was a member of the Acoustical Society of America and the Ohio State University Center for Cognitive Science. Pyne was well-versed in acoustic science and other fields which allowed him to produce quality crafted mouthpieces appreciated by clarinetists worldwide.
Let us celebrate the life and legacy of this respected musician and master craftsman.
A complete tribute will appear in an upcoming issue of The Clarinet.
