II FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE CLARINETE VILLA DE AGAETE

Just came back from the Canary Islands! I was helping support the II Festival Internacional de Clarinete Villa de Agaete 2016! One of my great friends and clarinet pedagogue extraordinaire, Bob Spring from Arizona State University, taught a series of masterclasses and performed as a soloist with the wind ensemble. It was a very big honor to have him here!

There were exhibitions by Backun, D'addario, Buffet, and Selmer! Bob also presented a special masterclass to the students about his famous warm-up! It was also a great reminder to how much the fundamentals play such an important role in our continuing musical development.

I had the opportunity to play clarinet quartets with the faculty there.  It was amazing to perform with Bob, Javier, and Radovan. It was such a humbling and rewarding experience for me.

There were also concerts by ClariKids, led by Laura Sanchez. It was a pleasure to see her work with all the young students! Highly recommend this festival for all levels!

Radovan Cavallin, me, Javier Llopis, and Bob Spring!