McNeese to Host 2022 Louisiana Clarinet Symposium

McNeese State University will host the 2022 Louisiana Clarinet Symposium Saturday, Jan. 22, in the Shearman Fine Arts Complex beginning at 8 a.m. This annual clarinet festival is a collaboration between McNeese, Northwestern State University, the University of Louisiana – Monroe and Louisiana Tech University and is catered to both high school and college clarinet students.

Coordinated by assistant professor of woodwinds Dr. Benjamin Cold, the symposium offers a day of clinics, workshops and masterclasses focusing on clarinet education and performance.

This year’s symposium features visiting artist Dr. Robert Spring, who will kick off the event at 9 a.m. with a masterclass featuring four outstanding collegiate level clarinetists from across Louisiana, including current McNeese junior performance major Sarah Medwick.

A special clinic will also be held at 11 a.m. by retired University of Louisiana – Lafayette professor Robert A. Luckey sharing tips and tricks for troubleshooting common clarinet problems. He will also be offering instrument inspections throughout the day in the lobby of Squires Recital Hall.

The symposium will conclude at 6 p.m. with an hour-long concert by Spring, who will be joined on stage by a clarinet ensemble consisting of nearly 30 of the symposium’s college participants. McNeese professor of piano Dr. Lina Morita will assist.

Spring received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan. From 1998-2000 he served as the president of the International Clarinet Association and has performed for numerous ICA conventions. Currently, he is a professor of music in clarinet at Arizona State University, as well as a guest professor at the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music.

To find out more about the clarinet symposium or to register, contact Cold at 337-475-5025 or bcold@mcneese.edu.