The Candid Clarinetist

Principal Flutist of the Boston Symphony Elizabeth Rowe joins the podcast today to talk about her experiences being a strong female leader in a historically male dominated profession. This is definitely a can't miss episode with one of the greatest musicians of our generation!

Episode 43 | Eric posted a fascinating YouTube Video a few weeks ago, comparing the cost of attending top conservatories with the return you would get if you got a job in an orchestra. I invited Eric on to go more in depth on this topic. A must listen for everyone!

Episode 42: Danny Beckley, Executive Director of the Kansas City Symphony joins Sam on the podcast. What does the future of orchestras look like? How do we expand our audience to more than the small sliver we serve now? Find out on this episode!

James recently made a very thought provoking comment on his Facebook page: “ Just as we are getting back in the swing of things at the Oregon Symphony, I'm being visited by my first struggles with performance anxiety in several years. UGH. I've talked to enough folks about this topic over the years to know that a lot of people who you might not expect have had their struggles with performance anxiety - even if it can feel like you're the only one going through it. If anyone else out there is having a bumpier ride with performing these days than they'd like, you are not alone!” I decided to reach out to James to explore this idea of Performance Anxiety and hope that sharing our experiences can help other people going through similar things!

Episode 40:   Sam goes solo, short, and sweet for this episode, where he goes over all of the recent happenings in the clarinet world! Happy new year to the whole Candid family!!!

Episode 39: Hey! It's John Bruce Yeh! The longtime member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra joins Sam on the podcast today to talk about what he was up to during the pandemic. Topics discussed also include the necessity to be versatile and what orchestras are doing to adapt to the ever changing arts world in order to better serve their communities.

Episode 38: On today's episode, Sam is joined by world renowned conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Maestro Harth-Bedoya just finished up a two week residency with the Indianapolis Symphony as a guest conductor, and it was a great joy to sit down with him to talk about his career and his approach to conducting!

Private clarinet teacher and coach Kelly Riordan joins Sam on today's episode. She coaches and mentors other music teachers on how to best build their studios to attract more students. A must listen for those interested in making private teaching a main source of income!   For more information about Kelly, please visit http://kellyriordan.com

Episode 36: In this episode of the Candid Clarinetist, Sam sits down with clarinetist Andy Hudson and composer Roger Zare to discuss their new book Elements of Contemporary Clarinet Technique. In this book, there are 22 new solo works for clarinet. Each work is preceded by a brief description of the technique explored as well as a masterclass on some of the tricky spots you may encounter. Order your copy today at https://conway-publications.com/product/elements-of-contemporary-clarinet-technique/ Visit Dr. Hudson's website at: http://theandyhudson.com Visit Roger Zare's website at: http://rogerzare.com

Episode 35: What is it like being a classical musician in New York City? Sam visits with Nathan Hughes, Principal Oboe of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, to find out what it is like making art in the Big Apple!

Episode 34: Ever feel lost when trying clarinet equipment? Listen to this episode with the fantastic Michael Wayne of the Eastman School of Music. Whether you are trying clarinets, barrels, ligatures, reeds, or mouthpieces, he has some fantastic advice on what you should be looking for!

Sam is going solo on this one to talk about recording yourself and listening back to your recordings. What should you be listening for exactly, and how can you use this to improve your playing? Find out in this short bonus episode!

Episode 33: Andy Simon, Principal Clarinetist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic and host of Andy's Licorice Talks, the fabulous YouTube and Facebook live series, joins Sam to talk about this amazing project.

Episode 32:    Ian Weinberger, Music Director and Conductor of Hamilton on Broadway, and Ryan T. Nelson, Music Director in residence at the Mariott Theatre in Chicago and lecturer at Northwestern University, join Sam on today's episode. We talk about how they both got interested in music theatre and the various paths that they took to their incredibly successful careers. You won't want to miss this discussion with these two incredible musicians!  

Episode 31: Chris Pell, Principal Clarinetist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, joins host Sam Rothstein this week to discuss what he expected out of an orchestral career and what he learned once he started his job as a young 21 year old musician. Topics discussed include burnout, how to behave around colleagues, the changing pressures of auditions, life lessons, and more!

Episode 30: Edgar Lopez has one of the most fun clarinet based social media channels that I have found. We talk about his thoughts on why we should be using platforms like TikTok and Instagram to reach a broader audience as classical musicians, as well as how he comes up with the inspiration for his videos. Check out his awesome creations on TikTok and Instagram @iamedgarlop !!!

Episode 29: Kari Landry, intermediate lecturer at the University of Michigan in Music Entrepreneurship and one of the founding members of the Akropolis Reed Quintet joins the podcast today. Her passion for choosing your own path and creating musical opportunities will be an inspiration for those listening!  

Episode 28: Dr. Kimberly Hankins joins the podcast this week to discuss her health and wellness journey. Kimberly used her experience with a playing related injury to launch a career as a certified yoga and breathwork instructor! If you are struggling with a performance related injury, you can find out more about Kimberly and the Aligned Musician at http://thealignedmusician.com

Episode 27:   In this episode, Sam visits with Richie Hawley, Professor of Clarinet at Rice University, to discuss his incredible blog post on Orchestral Etiquette from over a decade ago. I consider this the "Bible" on how to behave as an orchestral musician. Richie shares his thoughts on why this was an important thing to share, and what aspiring professionals can learn from his and others mistakes when they were young musicians!   For more information on Richie Hawley and Rice University, please visit http://richiehawley.com

In this episode, Sam reflects on the year 2020 and where the Candid Clarinetist podcast has been. He recalls his favorite three episodes from an incredible year of fabulous guests as well as gives a look at what the future holds for the Candid Clarinetist. Thank you to all for supporting this endeavor, and I look forward to hearing from you in 2021.  Subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWd6g6Mo6Os0XjWTSpE_OA

The Principal Clarinetists of Detroit, Minnesota, Buffalo, and Indianapolis gather to reminisce about holiday concerts, traditions, and memories as the Candid Clarinetist wraps up its first calendar year. Make sure to stay for the entertaining lightning round at the end! Thank you to all of my incredible listeners for your continued support. See you all in 2021!

Episode 25: Jackie Glazier, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the University of Arizona, joins the podcast this week to talk about what to do when you are auditioning for music school. What pieces should you prepare? How should you dress and behave in the audition? What communication should you have both before and after the audition with the teacher? All of these questions and more are answered on the latest episode of the Candid Clarinetist Podcast!

Episode 24: Principal Pops Conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra joins Sam on the podcast today to talk about the ISO's famed Yuletide Celebration. Maestro Everly's career has taken him across the country from the stages of Broadway to the biggest and best concert halls. Thank you so much to the Indianapolis Symphony Pops department for their continued dedication to excellence and for providing families in Indianapolis with such an incredible Christmas tradition. More information can be found at http://indianapolissymphony.org

Episode 23: Ixi Chen of the Cincinnati Symphony and Digital Clarinet Academy joins Sam today to discuss the varied and relevant programing that the DCA has provided to students during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Entrepreneurship and other topics are also covered on this episode. Be sure to check out the Digital Clarinet Academy at https://www.digitalclarinetacademy.com/

Episode 22: Have you ever had such a transformative experience that changed the trajectory of your life? My three summers spent as a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center completely changed me and gave me the tools necessary to progress in my career. Associate Director and Dean of Fellows of the Tanglewood Music Center, Michael Nock, joins Sam on the podcast this week to discuss all things TMC. How do you apply? How competitive is the audition process? What kinds of things do I do while I am there? What is the living situation like? All of these questions are answered on this episode! Plus, Michael and Sam share some great memories from Tanglewood.

Episode 21: Have you ever considered a career in one of the premier military bands? Clarinetists are incredibly fortunate that the military bands provide an incredible opportunity for employment for so many of our colleagues. Bass Clarinetist of the US Army Field Band, Sergeant First Class Kevin Walko joins the podcast this week to discuss his experiences having a career in one of the premier military bands. SFC Walko has been with the US Army Field Band for over 12 years and his thriving career speaks for itself. Topics covered in this episode include the audition process, basic training tips, functions and performances with the band, and some of the best parts about being part of such a great ensemble.

Episode 20:   Britt Sutton, who is the CEO of ArtMix, a non-profit arts organization in Indianapolis, Indiana, joins Sam on the podcast this week to talk about inclusion and disability advocacy. Learn about the mission of ArtMix and how they are truly redefining disability through the arts. She also happens to be Sam's wife!   For more information on ArtMix, please visit http://artmixindiana.org  

Episode 19:   Dr. Andy Hudson, Professor of Clarinet at University of North Carolina - Greensboro, joins the podcast to talk about being a kind person. As musicians, it is easy to assign value to ourselves and others based on our success and failures in music. Dr. Hudson embraces the idea of separating who we are as human beings from our value as musicians, and using empathy to support others in our profession and to always strive to be better than we were the day before.

Episode 18: Principal Clarinet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Stephen Williamson joins the podcast today. He gives some great advice on what it takes to play principal clarinet in an orchestra in terms of what you need to do with your equipment and how to manipulate your sound in order to be heard in large concert halls. This is a can't miss episode with one of the greatest clarinetists of our generation!

Episode 17:   Kevin Case, General Counsel for the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians and labor attorney for many orchestras across the country joins the podcast to talk about the legal side of the orchestra business. Learn about the history of the unionization of orchestras, collective bargaining, and how orchestras are adjusting their work rules to respond to the Covid 19 Pandemic. 

Episode 16:   Katie McGuinness, Director of Artistic Planning with the Indianapolis Symphony shares the behind the curtains secrets of what it is like to program an entire season for an orchestra. As a former pianist, Katie brings her wealth of musical knowledge and talents to the Indianapolis Symphony and uses it to navigate the challenging and daunting tasks of programming concerts, hiring conductors, and maintaing the artistic integrity of a major symphony orchestra. I know our listeners will really enjoy her fascinating insights!

Episode 15: Steve Hanusofski, Clarinetist and Bass Clarinetist with the Phoenix Symphony, joins the podcast today to talk about networking for musicians and clarinetists. Steve has a lot of great advice on this subject and presents a number of strategies to expand your personal and professional networks.

Episode 14:   Have you ever wondered how to get called to play with an orchestra?    The Principal Clarinetist of the Louisville orchestra joins the podcast to talk about her vast experiences playing with different orchestras. She lays out her thoughts on comportment, attitude, quality practices, and strategies to make sure that you not only get the first call, but that orchestras call you back again and again. Thanks to Andrea Levine for these incredible insights and sage advice on these essential topics.  

Episode 13   Functional fitness experts Peter Brasovan and Austin Pancner join Sam on today's episode to discuss how functional fitness can help musicians in a myriad of different ways. Covered in the episode are nutrition, exercise, injuries, rest, mobility, and a myriad of other things. After listening to this, you will be convinced that a holistic, healthy lifestyle can provide enormous benefits in your life and career!    For more information on Peter Brasovan and Naptown fitness, visit https://naptownfitness.com/   For more information on Austin Pancner and The Functional Musician, visit https://www.thefunctionalmusician.com/      

Episode 12   Cally Laughlin joins the podcast this week to talk about content creation on YouTube. You can find her fantastic YouTube channel Cally's Clarinet by visiting http://youtube.com/callyclarinet. Aspiring content creators and music lovers will not want to miss this episode filled with fantastic advice and quality information!   As a reminder, we are live video streaming our podcast recordings on the Candid Clarinetist Twitch channel. Be sure to join in the fun every Monday evening at 8pm EST          

Episode 11   On this episode, we zoom in on the conductor and all of their various roles on and off the stage. Many thanks to Jacob Joyce, Associate Conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for joining us for this episode and sharing his insights.   Be sure to check out his podcast, Attention to Detail: A Classical Music Listening Guide at https://www.attentiontodetailpod.com/   Remember that our podcast recordings are now being live streamed on Twitch at http://twitch.tv/thecandidclarinetist and subsequently uploaded to our YouTube channel. Hope to see you at the next live stream, Mondays at 8pm EST!   ***I apologize for some unintentional audio clipping in this episode. I am recording on a new audio interface and am getting used to its functionalities. It will be fixed for the next episode!***

The Candid Clarinetist podcast will now be live streaming our podcast recordings on Twitch at http://Twitch.tv/thecandidclarinetist   Our first live stream will be September 7th at 8pm EST where I will be joined by Jacob Joyce, Associate Conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Head on over to Twitch and drop us a follow so you know when we go live!   If you connect your Twitch account to your Amazon Prime account, you can subscribe to my Twitch channel every 30 days completely for FREE. All proceeds from this will go directly back into the costs associated with creating and producing the podcast. If you have the means, there is also a donate button over on Twitch, and I would greatly appreciate and welcome any and all contributions.    Hope to see you at a future live stream! 

Episode 10:   David Gould of the American Ballet Theatre and Vandoren USA joins Sam to talk about his varied career. Clarinet gear heads will not want to miss out on this episode, as David gives us the complete breakdown of Vandoren's line of ligatures, reeds, and mouthpieces. He also talks about his wonderful experiences studying in Paris, how he always stays ready because you never know when people may call, and some great suggestions on places to visit while in New York City. Thank you so much to David for his time and for this incredible episode!

Episode 9:   Gregory Raden, Principal Clarinet of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, joins Sam on this episode to discuss how he gets inspiration from all types of music and how he uses that as a way to shape how he approaches clarinet playing. Amongst other topics covered in this episode are his experiences studying with the incomparable Donald Montanaro, how he stays on top of his game playing a Principal Clarinet job, and where the best places to eat in Texas are. There is something in this episode for everyone!

Episode 8:   This week on the podcast, Sam sits down with Michael Wayne, Associate Professor of Clarinet at the Eastman School of music and 2nd Clarinetist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Michael is always about, and always has been about efficiency when it comes to clarinet playing. Hear how he incorporates various warm ups into his daily routine to keep him in tip top shape, even when life become very busy. We also dive deep into his career and some of his hobbies.    Make sure to check out The Candid Clarinetist YouTube channel for some supplementary materials from this episode, including the very warm ups and exercises that were discussed on the podcast. 

Episode 7:   This week, Sam goes in depth with Francois Kloc, President and CEO of Buffet Crampon USA. Francois details his trials and tribulations on his way to the USA, some travel advice when visiting France, how a deal with his father led him to where he is today, and what new things are in the pipeline for Buffet Crampon. This is a can't miss episode with one of the most influential people in the business!  

Here is a snippet of Sam's conversation with Michael Wayne, Associate Professor of Clarinet at the Eastman School of Music and 2nd Clarinetist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Michael has an audition workshop coming up in August. Be sure to check it out at https://summer.esm.rochester.edu/course/professional-orchestral-auditions-clarinet/ The full episode featuring Michael Wayne will be available soon right here, on the Candid Clarinetist podcast.

Episode 6:   Sam is joined this week by Heather and Alcides Rodriguez.  Together, this husband and wife run one of the best clarinet selection services in the country. In addition to this, Heather is a fabulous freelance clarinetist and Alcides is the Bass Clarinetist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. We discuss how the two of them met, what it was like to start this business, their criteria for choosing new instruments, and the burning question of what it is like to be married to another clarinetist! For more information on Rodriguez Musical Services, please visit their website https://rodriguezmusical.com/

Episode 5:   On this week's episode, Sam is joined by Assistant Principal/2nd/Eflat clarinetist of the Milwaukee Symphony, Benjamin Adler. Ben is the artistic director of a new online clarinet festival called Clarinet Maestro. They discuss all of the wonderful opportunities that Ben is planning for this endeavor, as well as go in depth about clarinet mouthpieces, how Ben grew up in a clarinet family, and the great American sport of baseball. For more information about Clarinet Maestro, please visit their website at: www.clarinetmaestrofestival.org  

Episode 4:   Our guest for today's episode brings a unique perspective as he transitioned from being Principal Clarinetist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to Associate Professor of Clarinet at the University of Texas-Austin. Jonathan Gunn shares with us the reasons why he decided to leave the orchestral world, some of his teaching philosophies, equipment advice, and what kinds of new opportunities, playing and otherwise, full-time teaching has afforded him.  

Episode 3:   Principal Clarinetist of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Campbell MacDonald joins Sam on today's episode as we build our Mount Rushmore of clarinet sections. Hear about the impact that new music continues to have on Campbell's life, the pedagogical legacy that he has enjoyed, and how foosball keeps him busy and engaged when he is not making music.

Episode 2:   On today's episode, host Sam Rothstein sits down with Detroit Symphony Orchestra Principal Clarinet, Ralph Skiano. Tune in to hear what finally made auditions click for Ralph, how to strike a good work life balance, and what you definitely should NOT do when fishing on the Detroit River.

Episode 1: Join host Sam Rothstein in a conversation with his teaching mentor and distinguished Chicago Symphony Orchestra Solo Bass Clarinetist, J. Lawrie Bloom. Learn about some of Lawrie's most memorable performances during his CSO tenure, his amazing opportunity to have a concerto written for him in his final CSO season, and what he has planned for retirement!