Klarinet Archive - Posting 000713.txt from 2001/09

From: "Patricia Smith" <pattiesmith@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] U. of AZ has failed Disabled Concerto Composer
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 09:07:36 -0400

William Wright wrote:

Bear has posted occasionally on this list for a year or two. No matter
what your feelings are about his particular situation, he's been a
Klarinet member long enough to deserve some space here.

Certainly the economic and educational aspects of music apply just as
much to clarinetists as they do to music in general.

Patricia:

I agree with William. Though I have never read any of Mr. Woodson's works,
if he has added to the pantheon of works for clarinet and he is a member of
the list for the purpose of learning more about the instrument - and I can
tell you that he is, since I have read his posts dating back a couple of
years, with about a six or so month interlude when I left the list for
personal reasons not related to klarinet - I think he should be allowed to
blow off some steam occasionally, as others do here from time to time.
Whatever the case may be, I wish him the best and hope the situation comes
to a satisfactory resolution.

I also would like to encourage other composers for the clarinet, especially
those who are not yet well-versed in its idiosyncrasies, as well as
composition students, to lurk on our list and learn more about this
instrument we play and love so much. I think there is much to learn here
that cannot be learned in a class instruments environment. When I wrote a
few things for brass instruments (trombone and tuba, specifically), for
example, I found I learned the most, not by trying to play the instruments
myself (heavens forbid!) but by talking and consulting with the players for
whom I was writing the music.

Patricia A. Smith
pattiesmith@-----.net

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