Our Summer Clarinet Academy is one of the highest quality clarinet experiences for teens in the Mid-Atlantic area, featuring clinics with world-class performing artists, master instrument makers, and inspiring teachers. Students will gain a higher level of playing, strategies to manage auditions and performance anxiety, confidence to tackle the next challenging piece of music, and so much more!
“I love the camaraderie, the kindness, and the support that all students, artists, clinicians, and staff give each other,” said program Co-Director Catina Sweedy, founder of The Clarinet Project. “The barriers of age and ability seem to be pushed aside at the Clarinet Academy. Seeing famous performing artists, master technicians, military band clarinetists, vendors, professors, teachers, and other professionals in clarinet-related careers interacting and learning with students and each other equally is truly inspiring.”
The Clarinet Academy is part of the Summer Music Intensive Week at Mason, June 18-22, and is Co-Directed by Ms. Sweedy and Dr. Kathy Mulcahy, professor of Clarinet at Mason’s School of Music. Special highlights for this summer’s program include:
- A clarinet maintenance and repair clinic by Wes Rice
- A seminar on how clarinets are engineered and manufactured by Joel Jaffe
- A concert by clarinetists from the United States Air Force Band
- A masterclass by David Drosinos titled “The Soulful Art of Greek Clarinet”
- A chance to win a barrel and a bell donated by Rice Clarinet Works and one of three Versa-X ligatures provided by Rovner
In addition to daily technique and warm-up classes, students will have the opportunity to take one private lesson with Ms. Sweedy or Dr. Mulcahy, play in a small clarinet ensemble based on their playing ability, perform a prepared solo piece in an afternoon recital, and, of course, play in a full clarinet choir performing a famous pop song cover (see example below – from The Clarinet Project)!
“One of my favorite memories from two summers ago was the historical clarinet seminar with Marie Ross,” stated Ms. Sweedy. “Holding, hearing, and playing two hundred year-old (or more) clarinets that I had only read about in books or saw behind glass in museums was a highlight of my life! Also, the jazz clinic with guest artist Felix Peikli from last summer. He taught those kids to play a blues riff in ten minutes and charmed them with his fun, genuine personality. Seeing shy students who had been hesitant to play on their own stand up voluntarily and improvise with him was amazing.”
The clinics and fun clarinet music alone are certain to be educational and inspiring, but students also get free reeds, t-shirts, and more! Clarinet Academy participants are immersed in a supportive and nurturing environment, where they will make lifelong friends.
A Residential Option is available for this program!
SEE DETAILS AND REGISTER TODAY!