Alexander Technique Class	Padilla Student session	Rodney Berry Instrument Maintenance session	Riseling Student session	Informal ensemble reading

11 January 2004

West Coast Clarinet Congress - East Meets West  - Jan 2004

East Tennessee State University,  Johnson City   USA

    This Congress weekend held in conjunction with the principal West Coast Clarinet Congress originating at Fresno State University in California, is the first on the Eastern part of the USA. Within a week after this event, it will repeat in Fresno with a similar format of recitals, master classes, seminars, and workshops.  This session in Tennessee was led by Dr Alison Deadman, Associate Professor of Clarinet at this small but very strong Music Department.  In spite of very bad weather and its impact on expected turnout, the congress was well organized with quality recitals by invited faculty including Robert Riseling, professor emeritus at Western Ontario University and a major performer and teacher at several music festivals including the Orford Music Festival  in Quebec. Clarence Padilla, Professor at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, Eugene Jones, Professor of Clarinet at this University with Dr Deadman, Thomas Crawford, veteran Clarinet Professor at East Tennessee State University and now adjunct Professor at Milligan College and also has a private studio in Kingsport, Tennessee.  Of special interest, expanding beyond just Clarinet performance, was a session class about the Alexander Technique, involving the application of this method to improve everyone's posture, freeing of the body to enhance relaxation and applying to how one plays.  Charlotte Anderson, a member of the Voice faculty and an authority in this field, brought insight that can be applied to students studying any instrument.  A session was given by Rodney Berry of Muncy Winds about the proper care, troubleshooting, and maintenance of woodwind instruments.  The students and others who came benefited from the informal but intensive master classes given by Mr Riseling and Dr Padilla, covering the clarinet/musician basics and ways to improve tone, projection, both of tone and musical message to reach out to an audience.  The coaching of these fundamentals by esteemed teachers brought a meaningful experience to the attendees.  The informality gave a relaxing atmosphere which made possible chamber reading sessions involving both faculty and students alike.  Great credit should go to Dr Deadman for the complete preparation and musical success of this event.

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