The Licorice Stick

On a whim, I did a search for other bloggers who have an interest in clarinet. I found many, and on another whim I replied to one (see the link to Balir's Blog in the side bar). Now I have a conversation going. This inspired me to tell my story with the clarinet and music in my life.

I started playing clarinet in grade school, and I chose the clarinet because my sister played the flute. I wanted my own instrument and didn't want to have to share. She got the shiny new instrument when she started playing. I got the used bargain-basement one. She quit within 2 years. I kept on. I still have that old Bundy, too. Actually, it's kind of a good quality instrument, for a student grade Bundy.

I goofed around with the music through elementary and middle school but I really got turned on to it in high school. I think mostly I became enthusiastic about it because it gave me a unique identity. I was "the musical one." (My sister, incidentally, was "the smart one." How can you follow that one up??) One of the kids in the clarinet section was really good and it occurred to me that maybe I could be good at it. (Jimmy Hrencewich was his name. Wonder what he's doing??) I started taking lessons from a local professional. I worked hard at it. I improved.

My first teacher was Scott Singer. I think part of the reason I was so into clarinet was his enthusiasm. That, and a powerful schoolgirl crush on him.

I tried out for region band and even all-state. Did not make all-state - I really flubbed the audition.

In college, I was not "allowed" to major in music, despite my desire to do so and despite much pleading and drama with the parents. I chose a practical major, Computer Science, and essentially lived the life of a music major when I wasn't writing code. I took almost all the freshman year music major classes and some sophomore year classes. Ear training. Sight singing. I took lessons every semester. I did juries every semester. I even had a recital my senior year. This was a Penn State, and my teacher was Dr. Smith Toulson.

When I graduated college I didn't know what to do with the music. I took lessons for a while, but it was hard to maintain interest without a group to play in. Another deterrent was that I was living in Rochester, NY at the time. You know, home of the Eastman School of Music? There was not an opportunity to be had for a good amateur. Competition from the masters students and such. I also had ego issues - I didn't want to play in "just any" group, it had to be worthy of my skills. Heh. Not too many of those around, either. Additionally, I was becoming a young woman in the social and dating scene. I was having fun elsewhere.

The Music...the music...

So I puttered around with it from about 1990 through last year. I would play from time to time at my church, when the music director would remember that I played. An offertory here, an introit there - maybe once a year. But, the music wouldn't wait. I really needed to be involved in music - it brought such joy to my life and I realized it was something I was missing in my adult life. By this time, I was living in the Raleigh, NC area. I figured that there were more opportunities for singers than clarinetists, and I joined the church choir. I wanted to improve my vocal skills so I took some voice lessons at a local college (Meredith College) with Lisbeth Carter. I did improve.

I got bored with church choir. The choir director had left and a new one came in, and he did not challenge the group. I tried out for The Concert Singers of Cary in 1999 and made it. Soprano 1! I had lots of fun with this group. Singing with a large group was sublime, and it was challenging - Latin, German, Spanish, French singing. Such fun. We made a CD, too. We sang with local symphonies, including the Christmas pops show with the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra.

When I went to nursing school in 2005, I moved to Durham. I had previously sung in their chapel, Duke Chapel, with the Concert Singers and I wondered if I could sing with the Chapel Choir? As a student, I could audition. I did, and they graciously allowed me to sing with them for the 2005-06 year. That also was a sublime, transforming experience. To sing in that space every week!! A concert every week! An audience every week! To listen to that caliber of preaching every week. I have been truly blessed.

That year we sang for an installation of a Methodist Bishop, we went to Washington DC to sing at a Methodist Church there, we did the annual Messiah performance in the Chapel for Christmas, and we sang Verdi's Requiem for the Spring concert.

Kansas City, a New Beginning

When we moved here, I decided to pull out the clarinet again. When I was singing with those groups in NC, every so often we'd sing with instrumental accompaniment. I would get pangs of longing when I'd watch the clarinets. That signaled to me that I really should try to play. Additionally, my ego has deflated, now that I'm over 40. Playing anywhere is kinda cool.

My church has a small symphony that plays twice a year or so, and I signed up. I met another clarinet player there who turned out to be the principal clarinetist with the Kansas City Wind Symphony. He invited me to audition. I did. Success. I am in the second clarinet section, second chair. Given that I've taken about 15 years off from playing, that's pretty good.

Details and Future

I have a Buffet R13 B-flat clarinet. I purchased it used from my teacher, Scott Singer. I produce a nice tone. I have a good ear for pitch - developed in college by being a perpetual second clarinet. My fingering and tonguing techniques are good, but certainly not professional level. I achieved through hard work and persistence. I am not a 100% natural at it.

So what? It's fun. That's why I do it.

I also own an alto sax which I haven't picked up in years. I should. I should also get a bass clarinet and/or an E-flat clarinet and/or an alto clarinet, for grins. Ironically, I own my sister's flute, too. Hee hee.

I am toying with the idea of starting a clarinet choir. I bet there are enough players in the area to support a group. It would be unique, and if you've never heard a clarinet choir, it's an awesome sound. I am busy right now, though. I'd have to stop doing something, I guess, to make room for such a lofty pursuit.

So, come to the concert, already....