West Coast Clarinet Congress 2002

(This report will appear in the June 2003 Issue of The Clarinet)

January 17-20, 2002, California Sate University, Fresno, located in the central San Joaquin valley again gave a warm welcome to the West Coast Clarinet Congress.  Now in its third year, the congress goes from strength to strength, with each year managing to outdo the last.  True to form, congress director, Dr. Miles M. Ishigaki (California State University, Fresno) opened the proceedings with an exciting and varied program, ably assisted by Teresa Ishigaki (flute) and Larry Gardner (bassoon).  A reception following the concert allowed the participants to renew old acquaintances and make new ones.  After a short break for dinner David Randall (Brigham Young University) treated us to an entertaining evening of music ranging from Bergm�ller to Boren.

One of the central San Joaquin valley's rare frosts did not deter participants from attending the first event of Friday morning: a short program of English clarinet works (Alison Deadman - East Tennessee State University) followed by long-time Fresno resident, Eiji Maruko (Fresno City College -retired), Stan Griffin (violin), Alann Rea (piano) performing one of the best loved trios in the repertoire, Mozart's K.498 ("Kegelstatt").  The remainder of the morning was devoted to a fascinating discussion/ question and answer session on studying clarinet at the graduate level, given by three highly respected faculty members from universities offering graduate study: David Etheridge (University of Oklahoma), Gary Gray (University of California, Los Angeles), and David Randall.  Thanks to all those younger participants who asked intelligent and probing questions!

A leisurely lunch break allowed plenty of time to sample the local cuisine and browse through the exhibit hall before getting to the recital hall in good time to hear a lively performance of chamber music by Brahms and Ferenc performed by University of Oklahoma faculty, David Etherdige, Howard Lubin (piano), and Gregory Sauer ('cello).  Teutonic Brahms was nicely complemented by Lisa Argiris' (Interntaional Musical Suppliers Inc.) poised performance of works by Debussy, Bozza, and Villa Lobos in which she was joined by flutist Spencer Yeamans.  These two performers followed their recital with an informative discussion addressing the clarinet world from the perspective of the music industry.  Teachers and students alike had many questions for Lisa and Spencer.

Subtitled "Clarinet Legends of the Past, Present, and Future," the WCCC 2002 celebrated legends of the present with its many recital performances.  Legends of the Future were nurtured with the 2002 High School competition (sponsored by Leblanc and Rico) and with the master classes that took place during the event.  Our congratulations go to High School Competition first place winner, Emily L. Sayles from Bakersfield, CA and the second place winner, Ryan P. Sandell of Chandler, AZ.  We encourage all budding "clarinet legends" to start preparing Ernesto Cavallini's Adagio and Tarantella (Kjos edition) for the WCCC 2003 High School Competition, (to be judged by taped performance)! On Friday afternoon, David Etheridge and David Randall gave us an insight into the legends of the past that had most influenced them, thereby addressed Clarinet Legends of the Past in a fascinating exploration.

After a short break for dinner, we were all back in the recital hall eager to hear Haken Rosengren give a nuanced performance of some well-loved classics from the clarinet repertoire.

Undaunted by the early hour, 8:40 am Saturday saw many participants arrive with clarinets in hand to take part in "Clarinet Work-Outs" (warm up session) led by David Etheridge.  Thoroughly "warmed up" we all moved to the recital hall where Julia Heinen treated us to an exciting program ranging from Devienne to Penderecki.  .  It was now the turn of clarinet students to perform, as Gary Gray gave the first master class of the Congress.  It is always a wonderful learning experience for teachers and students alike to see a master teacher working with advanced students, and this was no exception.

After lunch, three clarinet enthusiasts (adult amateurs) gave an entertaining and spirited clarinet trio performance, before Gary Cauchi (Merced Symphony Orchestra), Jennie Blomster (horn) and Alan Rea treated us to more chamber music including the Reineke Trio for Clarinet, Horn, and Piano.  The afternoon was rounded out with the last of our panel discussion/information sessions, "Getting Connected," This introduced students who might be unfamiliar with the organization to the I.C.A.,  (incidentally we were honored to have David Randall, one of the founders of I.C.A. attend the congress) and saw the launch of the "Clarinet Tree" project. 

Saturday night saw the last evening recital of the event, in which Gary Gray combined the familiar with the not so familiar in a wonderfully entertaining program.

�Clarinet Work-Outs� got the final day off to a great start as Gary Gray gave us all tips to �stay in shape,� before Haken Rosengren took over teaching an informative and effective master class.  Amazed that the congress was so nearly over, participants headed to the recital halls for the last two concerts of the congress.  Jon Usher (California State University, San Bernardino), with Ana Maria Maldonado (�cello) and Kris Carlisle (piano) gave us to a last program of chamber music, before the closing concert by international clarinet artist, Marino Calva (Orquesta Filharmonica de la Universidad Nacional Aut�noma de M�xico).  Calva, brought the congress to a wonderful close as he regaled us with a effervescent program of music by Hispanic composers.   Had you been present at the concluding reception, you are more than likely to have heard the phrase �see you next year in Hawaii� as participants bid each other farewell and looked forward to the West Coast Clarinet Congress 2003.

Honolulu, Hawaii (January 10-12, 2003) will be the venue for the West Coast Clarinet Congress 2003, so mark you calendars and come join us in the sun!  For further information on the WCCC 2003 and the High School Competition 2003, please see the WCCC web site at http://www.west-coast-clarinet-congress.org or contact congress director,

Dr. Miles M. Ishigaki,

Department of Music
California State University, Fresno

2380 E. Keats Ave. M/S MB 77
Fresno, California 93740-8024
Phone: 559-278-2902; Fax: 559-435-9120
Email: [email protected]