Klarinet Archive - Posting 000057.txt from 1994/07

From: Martin Brown <martinb@-----.AU>
Subj: Report on the 1994 Pan Pacific Clarinet School
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 1994 16:55:10 -0400

Introduction
------------
This was held at the Collaroy Salvation Army Convention Centre in
Sydney. It was broken up this year into a junior and a senior camp
which all agreed was a good idea. The junior camp ran from Saturday
the 25th of June to Tuesday the 28th. The senior camp ran from the
28th to Friday the 1st of July.

The camp was run by prominent Sydney clarinetist/saxophonist Mark
Walton and Mark Scott.

Attendance at the senior camp was 20 people broken into 3 groups based
on ability.

Attendees were mostly from Sydney but some were from inter-state.

Program
-------
This was fairly informal and open to suggestions from the
participants. Sessions included:

- Group sessions on pieces for solo clarinet and piano
- Ensemble sessions on clarinet choir music arranged by Mark Walton
- Masterclasses
- Concerts by Mark Walton and attendees
- Discussions on special topics such as modern playing techniques,
jazz styles, RSI exercises, selecting reeds, choosing clarinets
- Chamber music sessions
- Private practice

A pianist with amazing sight reading skills attended the whole camp
and was available at just about any time for works for clarinet and
piano.

The session on choosing reeds showed some interesting results: several
players played on each of four reeds in turn. The players and audience
then rated each of the reeds. The survey showed that there was
absolutely no preference for any particular reed although every player
thought at least one of the reeds was terrible.

The session on selecting clarinets ("David and Brian go to buy a
clarinet") was great. Two attendees were given trys at four of the
clarinets people were using on the camp. They played each clarinet in
turn and then the player and audience gave their preference on which
clarinet they would buy (price was not considered). There was some
consensus here. Top of the list was Mark Walton's Yamaha (the top of
the range model), next was my Buffet Festival, next was an old Buffet
R13 and last by a long shot was Mark Scott's Selmer Recital. (This and
the reed selection session were conducted under pseudo-double blind
conditions. Ie. the audience and, where possible, the player did not
know what they were playing.)

Accommodation
-------------
Most people payed a bit extra for ensuite rooms which were excellent.
Some opted for the cabins which were basic, cold, but adequate. The
food was not too good.

Two nights were disturbed by footballers returning in the early hours
after some excessive social conviviality.

Summary
-------
Everyone gained from the camp: confidence in performing, tips on
improving playing, enjoyment from playing with others.

The program flexibility was appreciated by everyone. The two Mark's
comments on playing were all helpful and supportive. Many of the
players were quite inexperienced and had some trepidation about
performing but by the end of the camp everyone was clammering for
performance time.

Everyone discovered some more pieces to try out as Mark did a
marvellous job of finding obscure but rewarding pieces to challenge us
all.

Quote of the Week
-----------------
At a performance by the three groups (based on ability), our group
(the most experienced players) played a piece starting off somewhat
badly until we got our act together. After we had finished the piece
Mark asked the audience "What does that sound like?" thinking that
it sounded a bit like a Mendelssohn piece. One the group one players
(the least experienced group) spoke up loud with "It sounds like our
group!" Actually meaing it sounded like a piece their group would
play. Naturally, everyone took it as being played as badly as group
one would play it. Much fun was had by all.

I'll be there next year for sure!