Actually this Goldilocks had many more than three barrels to try! I’ve been trying barrels. Again. Yes, again. More Morales-Backuns, ie MoBa. Grenadilla and Cocobolo this time. The trickiest part is to get the right tightness in the most responsive…
Podcast: Sidney Forrest, clarinetist and teacher
From age 15-20, I studied with Sidney Forrest, who taught me pretty much everything about clarinet from middle school through two summers at the Interlochen School for the Arts, and 2 years at Peabody Conservatory. After a relaxing lunch at…
Drastic Cuts for Columbus Symphony
Funny. When I came to Columbus 20 years ago, I left a job which had a 25 week season. Now I’m back to that. Full circle. Too bad my age can’t rewind to such a nice youthful number! From the…
A Bear hiding in Barber
On the program of the Columbus Symphony concerts this weekend is Mahler 1st Symphony in D, a magnificent work proving Mahler emerged with the merits of a full blown master in his mid to late-twenties. (b1860-d1911) The other works are…
Daily Practice of Conscious Rest
For performers of any instrument, a daily practice of a conscious resting position such as Shivasana (Corpse Pose from Yoga) or Constructive Rest (Alexander Technique) encourages a vital awareness of the whole self. Such a practice supports healthy use of…
Sacred music for clarinet and choir
Last week I was invited to play a few solo pieces with the choir of First Community church in Columbus. The music minister, Ronald Jenkins, is also the chorus master for the Columbus Symphony chorus, one of the best all…