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Band Hosts Clarinet Ensemble Festival

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian McCurdy and Technical Sgt. J. Blake Arrington
  • The USAF Band
BOLLING AFB, D.C. --  On November 7 and 8, 2009, The United States Air Force Band hosted the 5th Annual Clarinet Ensemble Festival. This event brought clarinet ensembles from around the nation together for a weekend of performances and panel discussions. The Festival Director was Mitchell Estrin, professor of clarinet at the University of Florida. More than 150 students, military members, and industry professionals attended the two-day festival.

The festival featured many service band ensembles, including clarinet quartets and trios from the U.S. Navy, Marine, and Army Bands. The event culminated on Sunday, November 8 with a performance by The USAF Band Clarinet Quartet and Clarinet Choir.

The Air Force Clarinet Quartet featured transcriptions by Master Sgt. John Romano and Technical Sgt. Darrin Thiriot of works by Leonard Bernstein, Charles Ives, and Antonin Dvorak. The Choir played "The Wind in the Reeds" by Gordon Jacob, as well as a new transcription of Bela Bartok's "Allegro Barbaro" by Sgt. Romano.

Many collegiate groups were featured as well. Quartets from the University of Illinois and Virginia Commonwealth University performed on Saturday. The University of Florida Clarinet Ensemble featured Eugene Mondie, Assistant Principal Clarinetist of the National Symphony Orchestra, in Heinrich Baermann's "Adagio."

The highlight of the weekend was Stanley Drucker's performance and lecture on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Drucker was Principal Clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic for 61 years. He played the entire "Sequenza" by Luciano Berio, and wowed the audience with stories about Leonard Bernstein and life in one of the world's finest orchestras.

When asked how music has changed during his lifetime, Mr. Drucker responded, "People just aren't intimidated anymore. The equipment is much better, and technology has made many things easier, but the percentage of talented clarinetists in the music world is the same."

It was an honor for The USAF Band to be given the opportunity to host such a wonderful event that allowed students, amateurs, and professionals the chance to share ideas and collaborate in a weekend of music making. We look forward to collaborating with these wonderful individuals again in the future!