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Hot News December 2010

 

15 - 18 December 2010

The Midwest Clinic - An International Band and Orchestra Conference
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  61st Annual Conference — December 15 - 18 2010
  Mentoring in Music Education

Chicago, Illinois USA

  

              The 64th annual Clinic representing the major core of Music Education in North America convened with a near record attendance and performances and clinics covering every conceivable aspect of the profession, with performances by invited school ensembles including orchestras, bands, jazz bands, choirs, and an appearance with the US Marine Band (President's Own) from Washington.  As with all conventions this size, exhibits from all the major instrument makers, publishers, recording firms and accessories for each including computer programs and related software were offered.

             Instrumental clinicians and educators with agenda presentations covered a large array for those interested in these topics.  Of interest to Clarinetists, Dr Robert Spring, Professor of Clarinet at Arizona State University gave a major clinic on the need to build solid technical foundation in student's performance as described below:

Clarinet Technique 101: It is a Requirement, not an Elective
  Robert Spring  - Professor at University of Arizona 
 
 
  Clinician Name: Robert Spring  E-mail Address: Robert.Spring@asu.edu

Clinic Title: Clarinet Technique 101: It is a Requirement, not an Elective

Clinic Synopsis: Clarinet Technique is required at a level that continues to grow and expand. Students also need technique to perform standard band works with the required finger and tongue agility. This clinic will give concrete exercises to cement strong technique, expand finger and tongue agility, a system for teaching extended techniques. Clinic will focus on basic concepts, how they are used, and well as specific daily exercises, to increase technical facility on the clarinet.

What is the target audience for this clinic? College, high school and junior high band directors, clarinet students/performers of all ages.

What will the audience take away from this clinic? This clinic will give concrete exercises to cement strong technique, expand finger and tongue agility, a system for teaching extended techniques. Clinic will focus on basic concepts, how they are used, and well as specific daily exercises, to increase technical facility on the clarinet. Included will be an explanation of how we learn technique using Dr. Frank R. Wilson's booklet, “Mind, Muscle and Music, Physiological Clues to Better Teaching".


What is included in the handout? This clinic will give concrete exercises to cement strong technique, expand finger and tongue agility, a system for teaching extended techniques. Clinic will focus on basic concepts, how they are used, and well as specific daily exercises, to increase technical facility on the clarinet. Included will be an explanation of how we learn technique using Frank R. Wilson's booklet, “Mind, Muscle and Music, Physiological Clues to Better Teaching".


Is there anything else you would like attendees to know about this clinic? Clarinet technique is not an option. Teaching technical studies and patterning is not difficult. Specific daily studies will be given.

Biographical Information: Robert Spring is Professor of Music in Clarinet at Arizona State University. He attended the University of Michigan where he was awarded three degrees, including the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. He recently was awarded the "Citation of Merit Award" from the School of Music Alumni Society. Spring has performed as a recitalist or soloist worldwide, and has been heard on National Public Radio's Performance Today. He frequently serves as clinician/adjudicator, teaches on the faculties of several summer music festivals and has published numerous articles on multiple articulation and other contemporary clarinet techniques. Spring was President of the International Clarinet Association, (ICA), from 1998-2000 and has performed for numerous ICA conventions. He is a Buffet Artist, and performs on the Buffet Greenline Clarinet.

Sponsor: Buffet Crampon USA INC., Arizona State University, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
 

 

Principal clarinet Franklin Cohen performs Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto Dec. 2 at Severance Hall. On the podium at right is guest conductor Pinchas Steinberg, who also led a performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 1.

2 - 4 December 2010

Franklin Cohen, Solo Clarinetist in Cleveland Orchestra, performs the Nielsen Clarinet Concerto under Guest Conductor Pinchas Steinberg 2 and 4 December 2010

Cleveland, Ohio USA

         A major Concerto performance, along with the Mahler 1st Symphony (Titan) was performed these two nights under guest conductor Pinchas Steinberg. The second concert was simulcast with interview with Soloist Franklin Cohen, who has been principal clarinetist since 1976.  His track record as soloist with the Orchestra is similar to that of his former teacher Stanley Drucker of the New York Philharmonic who recorded this Nielsen work under Leonard Bernstein and considered a major benchmark recording.  A extract from a Cleveland review is below:

Steinberg and the orchestra may be Mahler experts, but principal clarinetist Franklin Cohen is uniquely well-versed when it comes to Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto, which he performed Thursday for the third time in his Cleveland tenure.

To a restless, demanding work, Cohen brought both insight and virtuoso talent, underscoring musical links for a cohesive experience and negotiating wide leaps and frantically fast passages with clarity and confidence. Principal percussionist Richard Weiner made a vibrant partner on the snare drum. At the same time, the clarinetist made a persuasive case on the basis of sound alone: smooth, rounded, and chameleon-like in its ever-changing character.

        Mr Cohen is one of the major clarinetists in the United States, and active in chamber music and teaching, at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He is also a Senior Artist VIP with the World Clarinet Alliance.

 

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Revised: December 19, 2010