Hot News December 2005
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29 December 2005
Clarinet Days - Jerusalem Music Center, Israel
During this week of intensive Master Classes and concerts given at the Jerusalem Music Center under Sarah
Elbaz, the week was highly distinctive in artist quality and inspiration. Artist faculty included Guy Deplus, renowned
Professor at the Paris Superiore Conservatory, Alexander Fietelstein, winner of the New York Young Artists Guild
Competition, John Lesser, retired Clarinetist in the Israel Philharmonic, and others. Ensembles including a Clarinet Choir
convened all week along with faculty and student recitals and major concerts. This annual event is one of the most
important held in the Middle East and should interest all who can see the perspectives and quality programs offered here.
17 December 2005
MidWest Band & Orchestra Conference
Chicago, Illinois USA
The 59th Annual MidWest Band & Orchestra Conference was held featuring their array of Music
Education achievements in Band, Orchestra music programs Internationally as posted in their website
and publications, over a 5 day timeframe. Performances, seminars, Music Organization annual meetings,
employment seminars and interaction, University Alumni reunions, and constant activity which made it
impossible to attend everything. Over 18,000 attendees were present for this major event.
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As is a tradition, the Major Military Bands appeared, this year featuring The US Army Band (Pershing’s Own)
in a double concert appearance to accommodate the huge attendance at this festival. Of a special event was the
presentation of the MidWest Medal of Honor to the Band’s former Leader and Commander Colonel Eugene Allen
for his contribution to the field. The US Air Force’s Jazz Ensemble the ‘Airman of Note’ also performed. Several
Military Bands and Band Programs from all four services maintained exhibits to offer employment opportunities for
interested musicians. Many University, High School, Community, and other ensembles including jazz bands, choral
organizations and orchestras took part. The finale of this Conference featured from Japan the Yamaha Symphonic
Band that gave a spellbounding performance; of interest this organization consists of Yamaha music industry employees.
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Of interest to Clarinetists, 2 major events took place, as Dr Caroline Hartig, Professor of Clarinet
at Michigan State University gave an intensive class entitled:
A ‘Sound’ Approach to Stellar Clarinet Performance: Improving the Technical Command of your Band/Orchestra
Clarinet Section.
The lecture covered important fundamentals as the handouts indicated. The major points made included:
Embouchure
Air Support/ Breathing
Chromatic Scale and Partials of the Clarinet
Finger facility
Articulation – Wind and tongue
Rhythm/ Tempo
Intonation
Production Noises and why they are a sure sign of tonal dysfunction
Letting the ear be the ultimate guide
Demonstrations of these points and the answering of questions were generous and the hall was almost
full of interested participants including professional clarinetists, students, Band and Orchestra School Directors
eager to hear these points given. Dr Hartig’s appearance made possible through the Michigan State University
and Buffet-Crampon.
Another Clarinet highlight was the appearance of the Claribel Clarinet Choir from Ostend Belgium under
Director Guido Six. Complete information is posted on the Clarinet Choir News Page. This seminar/ concert
focused on how a Choir can enhance a Clarinet Section in a Concert Band with specific proportioned instrumentation,
and what is needed to make the near ideal tone. Soloists included Eddy Vanhoosthuye from Belgium and Dr Robert
Spring from the University of Arizona. Performance was professional in stature.
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Music Industry exhibitions covered 3 large areas covering instrument firms, music publishers,
music organizations of all types, accessory manufacturers, Music Tour firms covering Music Education
endeavors including School Bands and Orchestras, Military Band organizations and agencies recruiting
for Band members, and many more. Exhibits were enrolled by hundreds of companies, a factor that has
attracted over 18,000 total participants.
The next annual MidWest Clinic will celebrate its 60th Anniversary and scheduled next December.
Plans should be made soon to take advantage of its offerings which is world-class. Ensembles appearing are
invited and considered a major honor and achievement to perform here at this Conference.
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1999 WKA-Clarinet.org. All rights reserved.
Revised: October 13, 2007