Clarinet Gala 2009

On Sunday, April 19, 2009, Ohio University hosted its seventh clarinet gala, a full day of clarinet events for all ages and interests. Teachers, students, band directors, amateurs, and professionals attended. All events took place in Robert Glidden Hall, the School of Music, on the campus of Ohio University in Athens. These events were free, and no prior registration was necessary.

The featured guest artist was Michele Gingras, Professor of Clarinet at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Gingras presented an outstanding master class featuring Ohio University students, as well as a dazzling Klezmer class in which students learned how to play "Havanagila" with Klezmer ornamentation. Her recital with Ohio University faculty pianist Christopher Fisher, entitled, "From the U.S. to Israel: Jewish Clarinet Music," was stellar, and featured works by Charles Camilleri, Randall Cunningham, John Williams, Gary Schocker, Serban Nichifor, Daniel Galay, Bela Kovacs, and Woody Herman. Joining Prof. Gingras in the Schocker duet in an impressive performance was Ohio University Master's student Elizabeth Wynn.

In addition to Gingras' recital and master classes, the day included a host and potpourri recital featuring the host, Rebecca Rischin, and clarinetists from all over Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin in works by Andre Messager, Gioacchino Rossini, Miklos Rozsa, and W.A. Mozart: Elizabeth Crawford, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Ball State University in Muncie. IN; Daniel Paprocki, freelance Yamaha artist; and Randall Paul, Associate Professor of Clarinet at Wright State University in Dayton, OH.

Concluding the potpourri recital was the Wright State University student ensemble, "Clarinettes du Monde," performing works by Claude Debussy, Christian Erbach, and Roland Cardon.

In addition, the day included a high school master class by Rebecca Rischin, featuring area high school and college clarinetists. Participants also had the opportunity to play in a clarinet choir alongside Ohio University students. All in all, the day was a huge success.

Clarinet Gala 2008

On Sunday, April 27, 2008, Ohio University hosted its sixth clarinet gala, a full day of clarinet events for all ages and interests. Teachers, students, band directors, amateurs, and professionals attended. All events were free, and no prior registration was necessary.

The featured guest artist was Kristina Belisle, Professor of Clarinet at the University of Akron, Ohio. Belisle presented a wonderful master class featuring Ohio University students and a fantastic recital with University of Akron pianist Kim Bakkum featuring music by Alexander Tcherepnin, Copland, Shulamit Ran, and Scott McAllister.

In addition to Belisle's recital and master class, the day included a host and potpourri recital featuring Rebecca Rischin and clarinetists from all over Ohio, North Carolina, and Wisconsin in works ranging from Serge Rachmaninoff to William O. Smith:
Anthony Costa, bass clarinetist with the Dayton Philharmonic (OH); Michele Gingras, Professor of Clarinet at Miami University in Oxford, OH; Daniel Paprocki, freelance Yamaha artist; Randall Paul, Associate Professor of Clarinet at Wright State University in Dayton, OH; and Anthony Taylor, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

In addition, the day included a high school master class by Rebecca Rischin.

Participants also had the opportunity to play in a clarinet choir alongside Ohio University students. All in all, the day was a big success.

Clarinet Gala 2007

On Saturday, April 21, 2007, Ohio University hosted its fifth clarinet gala, a full day of clarinet events for all ages and interests. Over fifty teachers, students, band directors, amateurs, and professionals attended. All events were free, and no prior registration was necessary.

The featured guest artist was Deborah Bish, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Florida State University. Bish presented a superb master class and a dazzling recital with FSU pianist Seth Beckman featuring music by Leó Weiner, Pierre Gabaye, William O. Smith, and Scott McAllister.

In addition to Bish's recital and master class, the day included a potpourri recital featuring clarinetists from all over Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin in works ranging from Paul Hindemith to Gunther Schuller:
Kristina Belisle, Associate Professor of Clarinet at the University of Akron; Ann Marie Bingham, Assistant Professor of Clarinet and Oboe at Marshall University in Huntington, WV; Anthony Costa, bass clarinetist with the Dayton Philharmonic (Ohio); William Bruce Curlette, Professor of Clarinet at Cedarville College (Ohio); John Kurokawa, principal clarinetist, the Dayton Philharmonic; Gail Lehto Zugger, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Capital University in Columbus (Ohio): Daniel Paprocki, freelance Yamaha artist; and Randall Paul, Associate Professor of Clarinet at Wright State University in Dayton.

In addition, the day included a master class by Rebecca Rischin and a wonderful clinic on practice techniques by Daniel Paprocki, freelance Yamaha artist.

Participants also had the opportunity to play in a clarinet choir alongside Ohio University students. All in all, the day was a big success.

Clarinet Gala 2005

On Sunday, April 17, 2005, Ohio University hosted its fourth annual clarinet gala, a full day of clarinet events for all ages and interests. Over sixty teachers, students, band directors, amateurs, and professionals attended. All events were free, and no prior registration was necessary.

The featured guest artist was the clarinet virtuoso Eli Eban, Professor of Clarinet at the Indiana University School of Music and former clarinetist of the Israel Philharmonic. Eban presented a fascinating master class and an impeccable recital with Richard Syracuse, piano.

In addition to Eban's recital and master class, the day included a potpourri recital featuring clarinetists from all over Ohio, West Virginia, and Michigan in works ranging from Clara Schumann to Evan Chambers:
Ann Marie Bingham, assistant professor of clarinet at Marshall University in Huntington, WV; Kimberly Cole Luevano, associate professor of clarinet at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti; Anthony Costa, bass clarinetist of the Dayton Philharmonic and faculty at Ashland and Otterbein Universities; Barbara Specht, associate professor of clarinet and saxophone at Heidelberg College; and Anthony Taylor, clarinetist with the Spokane Symphony and doctoral student at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music.

In addition, the day included a master class for high school students given by Rebecca Rischin and a wonderful clinic on extended techniques presented by Dr. Kimberly Cole, associate professor of clarinet at Eastern Michigan University.

Participants also had the opportunity to play in a clarinet choir alongside Ohio University students. All in all, the day was a big success.

Clarinet Gala 2004

On Saturday, April 17, 2004, Ohio University hosted its third annual clarinet gala, a full day of clarinet events for all ages and interests. Over sixty teachers, students, band directors, amateurs, and professionals attended. All events were free, and no prior registration was necessary.

The featured guest artist was the clarinet virtuoso Richard Hawkins, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. Hawkins presented an outstanding master class and a stellar recital with Alejandro Cremaschi, piano.

In addition to Hawkin's recital and master class, the day included a potpourri recital featuring the host, Rebecca Rischin, and clarinetists from all over Ohio and West Virginia in works ranging from Johann Sebastian Bach to Mark Zanter:
Ann Marie Bingham, assistant professor of clarinet at Marshall University in Huntington, WV; William Bruce Curlette, assistant professor of clarinet at Cedarville College in Cedarville, OH; Jane Ellsworth, assistant professor of clarinet at Kenyon College in Gambier, OH; Randall Paul, associate professor of clarinet at Wright State University in Dayton, OH; and Melanie Richards, clarinetist of the Columbus Camerata

In addition, the day included a master class for high school students given by Rebecca Rischin and a fascinating clinic entitled: "Reed Making and Adjustment Simplified" presented by Dr. Randall Paul, associate professor of clarinet at Wright State University.

Participants also had the opportunity to play in a clarinet choir alongside Ohio University students. All in all, the day was a huge success.

Clarinet Gala 2003

On Sunday, April 13, 2003, Ohio University hosted its second annual clarinet gala, a full day of clarinet events for all ages and interests. Over sixty teachers, students, band directors, amateurs, and professionals attended. All events were free, and no prior registration was necessary.

The featured guest artist was the clarinet virtuoso and specialist in contemporary techniques, Robert Spring, Professor of Clarinet at Arizona State University and Past-President of the International Clarinet Association. Spring presented a master class and recital with Richard Syracuse, piano, and Rebecca Rischin, clarinet. Spring received a standing ovation for his astounding recital that featured multiple tonguing, circular breathing, multiphonics, and extreme altissimo playing.

In addition to Spring's recital, the day included a potpourri recital featuring clarinetists from all over Ohio and Indiana in works ranging from Jean Françaix to Libby Larsen:
William Bruce Curlette, assistant professor of clarinet at Cedarville
Eugene Marquis, principal clarinetist of the Cincinnati Ballet
Daniel Paprocki, bass clarinetist of the Evansville Philharmonic
Randall Paul, assistant professor of clarinet at Wright State University
Melanie Richards, clarinetist of the Columbus Camerata
Lacey Stokes, clarinetist, the United States Air Force Band of the West, San Antonio, TX

In addition to these recitals, the day included two fascinating clinics:
1)"Modelling, Matching & Motivation," clarinet basics for students and teachers with Elizabeth Braun, veteran public school teacher and PhD student in Music Education at Ohio State University, and
2) "Performance Anxiety? You Can Relax Now," relaxation workshop with Daniel Paprocki, Bass clarinetist of the Evansville Philharmonic and extra with the Indianapolis Symphony

Participants also had the opportunity to play in a clarinet choir alongside Ohio University students. Preceding this reading session, the OU clarinet choir accompanied Master's student Angela Opell, winner of this year's Student Soloist Competition, in a swinging performance the Artie Shaw Concerto. Opell's Klezmer band, "Klezalachia" entertained us all later that evening at the pizza party preceding the recitals.

Clarinet Gala 2002

On April 21, 2002, Ohio University hosted a clarinet gala, a full day of clarinet events for all ages and interests. Over sixty teachers, students, band directors, amateurs, and professionals attended. All events were free, and no prior registration was necessary.

Our featured guest artist was Daniel Gilbert, the brilliant second clarinetist of the Cleveland Orchestra, who presented a master class, a reed-making session, and a recital with Richard Syracuse, piano, and Rebecca Rischin, clarinet.

In addition to Gilbert's recital, the day included a potpourri recital featuring Rischin and clarinetists from all over Ohio: Karen Benda, private teacher; Kimberly Boardman, principal clarinetist of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra (IN); William Bruce Curlette, assistant professor of clarinet at Cedarville College and former clarinetist with the Grand Rapids Symphony; and Randall Paul, assistant professor of clarinet at Wright State University.

Other events included a clarinet choir play-along; a clarinet warm-up and body awareness session with Karen Benda; an Alexander Technique session with Melinda Murphy; and a pizza party with the Athens Klezmer band Klezalachia.

Last updated on November 20, 2009.
Designed by Elizabeth Aleksander.
Maintained by Rebecca Rischin.