International Clarinet Festival 2010

International Clarinet Fest has been held annually since 1974 around the world, including USA, Canada, England, France, Belgium, Japan, Sweden, and Portugal. And this year, honorly, it was held in Austin, Texas! It was only 4 hours away driving from where I live now. So, should I go? OF COURSE!

The festival was held at the University of Texas, Austin (UTA) on July 21-25th

The exact location was at the UTA’s School of Music

There were more than 350 music performed by MANY MANY clarinet players.

I wasn’t allowed to take pictures during the concert, but I managed to take one sneakily.

Vanguel Tangarov from Bulgaria, currently teaching at UTA

Stephan Vermeersch

Many other famous clarinetists like Franklin Cohen, Greg Raden, Ilya Shterenberg, Richie Hawley,……

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I also love the Master classes. You can never learn enough from those classes.

Philippe Cuper Master Class

There were also master classes conducted by Dan Gilber, Franklin Cohen, Larry Combs……etc

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On the last day, there were all clarinet choirs. Yay, big group!

James Gillespie and John Scott

playing with Dallas Wind Symphony Clarinet Choir

New Horizons Clarinet Choir (Rochester,NY)

I was so worried when I saw this group because I thought all clarinetists are aging, and underdeveloped.

but, after Dallas Wind Symphony and Lone Star Clarinet Choir, I think it’s not the truth.

(you suppose to laugh, I am telling a joke)

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At the festival, there were almost 50 exhibitors, including all the fancy clarinet brands.

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I bought a Gao’s Royal barrel – WIEN

I actually love its sound! It gives a very unique personality.

I chose this instead of Backun’s, just simply because it makes me feel different.

“This is exactly what I was looking for for many years-Viennese warmth and smoothness of tone, with American power and intensity. Bravo!” – Eli Eban

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Here comes the best part of the whole festival:

I didn’t intend to buy a new mouthpiece. I was just trying mouthpieces at the Vandoren booth.

When I was trying, the Vandoren staff was checking out my mouthpiece B45. And, he accidentally DROPPED it.

Here is my B45, which has followed me for almost 10 years. It cost me more than RM200 when I bought it.

Well, it’s sad, but….

HE REPLACED a NEW one for me!

And, it’s a better model!

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Vandoren M13

Those few days were the most intense clarinet music, skills, technique, tone quality exchange.

Different clarinetists have different tone quality.

I was totally bombarded by the variety of sound.

However, it does open my eyes to how much I actually have to know this little tiny clarinet,

and now, I only know like 5% out of everything? Crazy!

I am excited to explore more

and, my teacher is doing her Ph.D in Clarinet, definitely for a reason.

This is a God’s creation, I am sure