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27 March 2004

Texas Tech University’s Third Annual Clarinet Festival

By Virginia Hartsook

         The third annual Texas Tech University Clarinet Festival, hosted by David Shea, Assistant Professor of Clarinet, was held on March 26-27, 2004.

            The festival began Friday evening with a master class with Eli Eban, in which six students performed solo selections.  Eban offered many insightful ideas on instrument tendencies, correct breathing, articulation, posture, form and style, as well as musicality.  The suggestions were very useful both to the performers and those in the audience.

            Saturday’s events started with a host recital by David Shea which included Weber’s Fantasia and Rondo and concluded with Scott McAllister’s X, a piece that always delights the audience.  This was followed by a variety of pieces performed by Sandra Mosteller of Wayland Baptist University.  Her program began with an exciting performance of Darius Milhaud’s Caprice and the Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco Sonata which contrasted nicely with the Klezmer Selections arranged by Edward Huws Jones that brought the recital to a conclusion.  Next, participants attended a clinic given by Daniel Silver, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Colorado University, entitled “Who’s the Teacher in the Practice Room?”  Silver revealed many great ideas for efficient practicing which included: 1) be honest about practicing, 2) be aware of one’s playing, 3) play for a big room, and 4) strive for beauty, meaning, and expression.  Later that morning was the Keith Lemmons recital.  Lemmons,  Professor of Clarinet at the University of New Mexico, opened his recital with a delightful performance of the Nino Rota Sonata followed by the Joseph Horovitz Sonatina.

After a brief lunch, the festival reconveined with a pedagogy clinic given by studio teachers, Anna Whitlock-Henry from Lubbock and Kristen Boulet from the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  The lecture, “Developing the Private Studio: A Discussion with Accomplished Private Teachers from Texas,” was very informative for the future music teachers in attendance.  Helpful suggestions like being personable and professional, as well as keeping impeccable records, and studio promotion were discussed.  Immediately following the Boulet and Whitlock-Henry discussion, a series of recitals were held.  Patricia Card, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Sam Houston State University, took the stage, performing a variety of lesser known pieces, including Paul Harvey’s clever unaccompanied piece, The Street-piper of Vienna and Jack Delano’s Tres Payasadas. The recital closed with a lovely performance of Paquito D’Rivera’s Danzon for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano.  After a short break, renowned clarinetist Eli Eban gave an impressive performance of Milhaud’s Duo Concertante and the classic Brahms Second Sonata for Clarinet and Piano.  David Shea joined Mr. Eban on stage to close the recital with Mendelssohn’s Concertpiece No. 1 in f minor, Op. 113.

            In addition to the clinics and recitals, many local area middle school and high school students participated in the symposium by attending recitals and clinics as well as rehearsing and performing with the Texas Tech Clarinet Choir.  Host of one of the clinics was Dr. Thomas Josenhans, Assistant Professor of Music at McMurray University.  Josenhans addressed clarinet fundamentals for intermediate and advanced players.  Lectures were also given by Tonya Lawson (“Back to Basics: Tone and Technique Development”) and Leigh Lafosse (“Back to Basics: Tonguing, Tuning, and Practice Tips”). 

            The TTU Clarinet festival continues to grow with 93 attendees this year, a significant increase from last year.  The Texas Tech clarinet studio looks forward to hosting the Fourth Annual Clarinet Festival next year April 8-9, 2005.

 

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