Klarinet Archive - Posting 000334.txt from 1998/04

From: Mark Hollingsworth <mholling@-----.edu>
Subj: Bass Clarinet Majors -Reply
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1998 18:44:18 -0400

I have had students enter college as bass clarinet majors; I even had a
contra-bass major once. I usually let them pursue this route for the freshman
year all the while encourageing them to purchase a soprano clarinet. Some
things to tell students such as this - to make a living as a clarinet teacher
you must teach Bb clarinet and Bass Clarinet. For Music Ed. majors, finding
extra playing after college will be severly limited if they do not play Bb and
Bass. A person who can do both will always be able to sit in a community band
or orchestra. I have never had a problem convincing people of this and most
bass clarinet students buy a decent soprano clarinet by their sophomore year.
A MusEd major of mine, who is currently student teaching , was a bass clarinet
major for three semesters; she finally purchased a Bb, continued playing bass in
the symphonic band, but performed her senior recital on Bb. It can be done!

Good Luck,

Mark Hollingsworth
East Central University
Ada, OK 74820
mholling@-----.edu