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Introducing Senior Artist VIP
Stephen Girko - Solo Clarinetist in the Austin
Symphony; former Principal Clarinetist in the Dallas Symphony; Faculty at Texas
State University
email: girks@sbcglobal.net
Biography
Presently principal clarinetist with the
Austin Symphony, Stephen Girko was appointed as principal clarinetist with
the San Antonio Symphony for the 1999-2000 season. Prior to that, he was the
principal clarinetist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra from 1975 through
1998. He made his debut appearance with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra by
performing the Clarinet Concerto of Aaron Copland, with the composer
conducting. Since then Mr. Girko has appeared as soloist performing the
concertos of Mozart, Nielsen, & Weber, as well as the Introduction, Theme &
Variations of Rossini & the Premiere Rhapsodie of Debussy.
Stephen Girko was born in New York City. He attended the State University
College of New York at Potsdam, where he received his Bachelor of Science
degree in music education in 1965. The following year, he received his
Master of Music degree in performance from The Manhattan School of Music.
After a year of teaching, Mr. Girko fulfilled his military obligation by
performing with the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, N.Y.
While at West Point, he also played principal clarinet with both the Albany
Symphony Orchestra and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Orchestra. Upon
leaving the military, Stephen was appointed principal clarinetist with the
Oklahoma City Symphony, a position he held for four years. He subsequently
served as associate principal clarinetist with the Houston Symphony
Orchestra for a year before coming to Dallas.
Mr. Girko has also enjoyed an active career as a teacher, having taught at
Oklahoma University for four years as well as Southern Methodist University
for 18 years. His students are represented in orchestras and colleges
throughout the United States. Mr. Girko is a frequent soloist and clinician
at various clarinet symposia, as well as having been a member of Music in
the Mountains, a summer chamber orchestra festival held in southwestern
Colorado and The Carmel Bach Festival.
Mr. Girko is presently on the faculty of Texas State University as well as
teaching clarinet in the San Antonio public schools. He is also a member of
Wild Basin Winds, a woodwind quintet based in Austin Texas.
Mr. Girko, a skilled cook, owns and operates a small catering company called
“EAT MY PIZZA!” Steve takes to his client’s home the ingredients with which
to make New York style pizzas as well as an incredibly delicious salad.
After the guests have observed his culinary skills and have filled
themselves with the fruits of his labor, he will then entertain them by
performing both classical and popular music on his clarinet.
New
Information Under
development
Message from Stephen Girko
Agendas and Performance and
Teaching Philosophy
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Revised: January 08, 2019