 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2014-02-05 13:07
I've never attended a Clarinetfest, but because the next one is located in New Orleans, it will not involve a huge expense in airfare for me to attend. What kind of experience is one likely to have? Is it a friendly environment for newcomers and non-professional musicians? How are mouthpiece testings arranged? Is the expectation that each person is responsible for sterilizing a test mouthpiece before using it? Are used and new clarinets available for testing? Are attendees welcome to sell their own instruments privately? Are instructional lectures given? Do people travel to restaurants together for after hour get togethers? Is it wise to bring your non clarinet obsessed wives and children?
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-02-05 21:21
The best part for me of these "get togethers" is the master classes. It never ceases to amaze me how many talented new folks are coming along up the ranks to play music. Of course there is the great insights that are given by world class players that everyone can apply to their own playing.
I recently went to a smaller affair in Oklahoma and attended an informational lecture by Elsa Ludwig Verdehr. I never realized before how much she is responsible for a vast repertoire of new music for clarinet........ so lectures are also exciting!
The other big draw besides the "named attendees" is the "gear" of course, but it is done in large exhibit rooms with all the vendors together. So lots of people are trying stuff all at once and it can get a bit cacophonous. I would think mouthpiece guys are sanitizing their products in between customers, but I've never been much of a germaphob.
I've never seen used horns or private sales (there may/must be some prohibition about that since all the 'sponsors' would want the spotlight).
There are also big performance events in the evenings, so you can imagine that the biggest problem is finding the time to do all the things you want. I focus on key masterclasses and performances, go to the vendors during the ones that are not my top picks, and just squeeze in meals when I can.
Um........... I don't think non clarinet geeks would last more than an hour or two tops and that's stretching it.
.........................Paul Aviles
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Author: gkern
Date: 2014-02-05 21:38
"cacophonous" - Thanks Paul, you have added a new and intriguing word to my vocabulary. And there are a lot of places I can use it!
And the Clarinetfest sounds intriguing also - when is it going to be held?
Gary K
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-02-05 23:46
Baton Rouge, Louisiana July 30th- Aug 3rd. Should be fun.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2014-02-06 00:45
Been to two, and it's looking pretty good that I'll be able to go to clarinetfest 2014.
As for mouthpieces, all the vendors are in a big hall with tons of people, professionals and amateurs alike, squawking playing music, mouthpieces, clarinets (yours truly included in that squawking bunch). If you DO fully intend to try a mouthpiece, I would pay for the mouthpiece, and just arrange with the vendor a trial period of a day or even just a few hours where you can walk off to a practice room or at least less crowded area where you can try it in peace.
I've never seen or heard of private sales. I doubt it'd be allowed in the big vending hall with all the other vendors as they have paid for their spots and rights to sell products there.
If your family is ok with TONS of clarinet geeks (once again, yours truly in that bunch too), bring 'em. Clarinetfest is a few days long. My ultimate suggestion, pick which performances and lectures you REALLY want to listen to. Allow your family to visit the city and do whatever they want if they don't want to be there with you during the day, or if there's not much that day you want to see, join them for a few hours here and there. The night time performances are typically the biggest names, and always are very satisfying, and if your family enjoys a nice concert, they'd probably love those.
There are sometimes multiple stages with multiple choices all at once.
You can actually do some searching on this board and find reviews or recaps of past clarinetfests to get an idea of what other people have taken from the experience.
In general though, it's a blast. A lot of people with one very large common interest. It's our comic-con.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2014-02-07 06:41
Do many of the listmembers plan on attending Clarinetfest this year? How will we recognize each other when we get there? Do attendees wear name tags?
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: muppie
Date: 2014-02-08 15:28
Do you have to register / pay or just turn up and wander around for free?
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2014-02-08 15:51
I imagine on the first day you have to register and pay. Thereafter, if you don't look bleary eyed and you're not bleeding from the ears, they assume you're not registered, and they force you to perform the Mozart at the amphitheater with a bad 1.5 Rico reed. Wear red, because when they throw stuff, the tomato stains won't show as bad.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2014-02-09 00:59
I attended the 2004 Clarinetfest in Washington, D.C. and had a grand time even though I only day-tripped. (I live in the area.) For me, one of the main pleasures was meeting people I'd "met" only online, here and on the e-list. I didn't try out any equipment in the dealer room because the noise level was so extreme in there that I don't think I could have heard myself scream, let alone pass judgment on the nuances of one product vs. another. But I did come home with an eefer mouthpiece, sheet music, reeds and miscellaneous. Learned things, too.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2014-02-10 08:57
ClarinetFest is wonderful.
One problem is trying to figure out which of the 2.7 (Vancouver) things going on at the same time is the one you should attend.
I recommend staying at the venue so that you won't miss anything for travel time. Really: 10PM sessions.
Be sure to practice some really dazzling cadenzas to deploy in the gear halls.
Bob Phillips
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2014-02-10 20:41
Quote:
Be sure to practice some really dazzling cadenzas to deploy in the gear halls.
lol! Truest statement!!!
Also, be prepared to hear that dazzling cadenza you just finished repeated about 15 feet away by a college student (probably grad student). lol!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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