Klarinet Archive - Posting 000854.txt from 2002/03

From: "Patricia Alison Smith" <pattiesmith@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Another can of worms or two - was: Time for an outraged response
Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 11:46:50 -0500

Gary Smith wrote:

And - sorry ICA guys -- there was a time when I felt very depressed and
demotivated every quarter when the *Clarinet* journal came out and about
every article (and of course every ad) concerned some new instrument or new
gadget guaranteed to give you a more
youthful/compact/dark/light/centered/giddy/manly/floral/hairy tone. And
competition results. Yep, I want to read about 13-year-olds who probably can
play faster than I do, even if you suspect they might sound like strangled
chickens. Then I learned to start reading the articles that were by, for, or
about people who actually *played,* and disregard the rest.

Patricia:

I'm hearing you Gary. And I agree. Want to know the articles in The
Clarinet that are my favorite reads?

The top of my list is the one about - "Granny" Annie Lenoir! (Hi Anne!) I
like reading about real life people who have lives - who don't just live in
a practice room - and who have had struggles and overcome obstacles and
found joy in music! She has done this and much much more! You go, Annie!

Another memorable article was the recent write -up of Stanley Hasty.
Wonderful family man AND clarinetist and teacher. Again, someone who does
more than obsess about a narrow focus.

Anything about Mitchell Lurie. Because studying with him made me realize
that it was okay to play like me, and I didn't have to play like anyone
else. And that my choices were mine to make, not anyone else's. (Took me
long enough!)

Anything about David Peck, who once was with the San Diego Symphony, and is
now with the Houston Symphony. Attention to detail. And then some. What
an incredibly fine musician and player - and a wonderful human being.

And, lastly, anything about David Niethamer. (Hi, David!) The things I
learned from him are too numerous to list here - I can only say I am
grateful, and I hope to see a full length article in The Clarinet soon!

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

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