Academic and Performance Areas

Second Annual Clarinet Day 2005

Michigan State University Second Annual Clarinet Spectacular: Jazz Meets the Classics

by Rachel Yoder and Johanna Hyun

Michigan State University School of Music and assistant professor of clarinet Caroline Hartig recently hosted the second annual Clarinet Spectacular, an event which brought together world-class performers with clarinetists from around the Midwest for a weekend of concerts and master classes. This year, Michigan State was proud to present world renowned clarinetist Eddie Daniels, who contributed throughout the weekend as classical performer, jazz clarinetist, and teacher.

The three-day celebration began with a concert featuring Hartig and Daniels in collaboration with faculty pianist Deborah Moriarty. The program consisted of duo pieces such as the Lebanc Suite by Gordon Goodwin and Mendelssohn’s Concertpiece No. 2 Op. 114, some of which featured jazz improvisation by Eddie Daniels. The following day, the school was filled with clarinetists from Michigan and beyond who met for the Festival Choir rehearsal led by associate conductor of bands Wesley Broadnax. 

Next was Hartig’s master class, “A ‘Sound’ Approach to Stellar Technique,” in which MSU graduate student Christina Beaupre and other participants played for Hartig as she demonstrated the importance of sound and air speed to developing solid clarinet technique.  Hartig’s master class was followed by “A Day at the Clarinet Spa,” a session with Maury Backun, renowned clarinet barrel and bell maker from Vancouver, focusing on care and maintenance of the clarinet. In addition to giving tips on oiling the bore and cleaning the instrument, Backun demonstrated his method for adjusting clarinets, using Eddie Daniels and one of his new instruments as an entertaining example. 

Backun also had many bells and barrels available throughout the day for participants to try; other equipment displays included Francois Kloc and Larry Green, representatives of Buffet Crampon USA, Inc., Leblanc Clarinet Representatives, Eric Satterlee of Meridian Winds, and Chuck DeClarke of Marshall Music.

Later in the day, MSU clarinet students and private teachers Cathy Wood, Jackie Boyd and Rachel Yoder gave a class on building a thriving clarinet studio. Then, participants joined John Martin, director of admissions at the School of Music, in a question and answer session.  Select MSU students and Clarinet Spectacular participants then played in a two-hour master class given by Eddie Daniels, before all participants gathered for the Festival Recital with special guest composer/conductor James Niblock, The Festival Clarinet Choir, Clarinet Connexions and the By B-Flats.

The Final Guest Artist Recital was given by Eddie Daniels, Caroline Hartig, Arthur Campbell and Deborah Moriarty, director of jazz Rodney Whitaker and MSU Jazz Faculty Combo, concluding the festival day with a program that began classical and ended with Daniels’ rendition of familiar jazz tunes such as “I’m Old Fashioned” and “Autumn Leaves.” The evening portion of the festival was an MSU Chamber Orchestra Concert, featuring professor of clarinet Elsa Ludwig-Verdehr and professor of violin Walter Verdehr in a national premiere of Mills’ Double Concerto for Violin, Clarinet, and Orchestra. The following day, the clarinet festivities continued with the Verdehr Trio’s Sesquicentennial Composer’s Concert, showcasing some of the most outstanding works commissioned by the Verdehr Trio. 

MSU’s Second Annual Clarinet Spectacular: Jazz meets the Classics provided participants and visitors with a wonderful opportunity to make music and celebrate the clarinet in all of its versatility. Join us for Michigan State University’s Third Annual Clarinet Spectacular October 28, 2006. 

Caroline Hartig is an acclaimed clarinet soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. She has appeared with orchestras and contemporary music ensembles in major concert halls including Carnegie Hall, where she made her solo debut in 1994. Widely recognized and sought after for her new-music collaborations, Hartig can be heard on the CD Dancing Solo, featuring the solo and chamber clarinet works of composer Libby Larsen. Hartig’s most recent CD, Clarinet Brilliante, was honored by the American Record Guide as a “Critics’ Choice.” Her artistry has been reviewed as “dazzling, with an uncanny sense of line, musical insight and prodigious technique...simply virtuosic” (The Clarinet) and “Hartig dazzles with numbing, blazing fluidity and rich, luxuriant fervor…coiled virtuosity” (The American Record Guide).

Hartig has been heard on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition and Center Stage from Wolf Trap, and recently appeared as a guest artist at the 2004 International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest. Active as a master teacher and clinician, Hartig has been invited to present master classes nationally and internationally and was an Artist/Faculty of the 2004 Aria International Summer Music Academy. She has served as a juror for performance competitions, including the 2003 International Clarinet Association Young Artist Competition. Prior to joining MSU, she served as professor of clarinet at Ball State University. Hartig is a Buffet Artist/Clinician. To contact Caroline Hartig, visit www.CarolineHartig.com.

This event was generously sponsored by the MSU School of Music and Buffet Clarinets -

The Music Group.