Next stop: Denver, Colorado

Clarinet Choir prepares for Clarinet Fest

Texas A&M University Kingsville’s (TAMUK) clarinet players have earned an invitation to perform at the International Clarinet Association’s (ICA) Clarinet Fest.

TAMUK students have the opportunity to show- case the talent within the School of Music. TAMUK is one of 13 university ensembles that will be per- forming at the Clarinet Fest.

Only 21 clarinet choirs around the world were invited.

Clarinet Fest is being held in Denver, Colo., which means students must fundraise to help with the expenses involving their trip to the conference.

Students have raised $5,280 for hotel costs and most travel expenses; they have a remaining balance of $2,500 for meals and the rest of the travel costs.

C.O.B. Society at Southside High School in San Antonio during a tour on April 3.

Submitted photo

theme of celebrating Clarinet fest’s 50th anniversary and putting a spotlight on the past, present, and future of the clarinet. The future is bright in the hands of our TAMUK Clarinet Choir,” she said.

The ICA conference is set to take place July 5 through 9.

“We are currently running a gofundme https:// gofund.me/671066bf, a 50/50 raffle (buy a $5 ticket and you could win half our profit or around $500), and seeking corporate sponsors to be featured on our souvenir program and shirts. These shirts will be worn by members from all over South Texas and available for purchase,” Applied Professor Andrea Vos-Rochefort said.

The Clarinet choir features members from the Clarinet, Oboe and Bassoon Society (C.O.B.) as well as music majors and even non music majors.

“I am most excited to attend a festival completely dedicated to the clarinet. There will be so

many opportunities for learning, networking, and fun,” School of Music student David Flores said.

Performing on an inter- national stage is an honor for many of the musicians, especially Moises Flores and Alek J. Lopez, student composers of “Sonder,” which will be brought to life at the conference.
While the performance

will not be live streamed there is hope for a recording after the conference.

Vos-Rochefort mentioned attendees to the conference will also hear the TAMUK clarinets perform pieces from Clare Grundman and Felix Mendelssohn.

“This fits with the theme of celebrating Clarinet fest’s 50th anniversary and putting a spotlight on the past, present, and future of the clarinet. The future is bright in the hands of our TAMUK Clarinet Choir,” she said.

The ICA conference is set to take place July 5 through 9.