Author Archives: Chicago Clarinet Ensemble

CHICAGO CLARINET SYMPOSIUM: MAY 12-13, 2017

Northeastern Illinois University. 5500 North St. Louis Avenue. Chicago, IL. 60625

Artistic Director: Dr. Rose Sperrazza Assistant Director: Cally Laughlin

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Masterclasses

Speak Your Mind: Artistic Expression and the Soloist with John Bruce Yeh
To “C” or not to “C”: Operatic Clarinet Excerpts and Perspectives with Charlene Zimmerman
All Write Already: Compose Your Own Cadenza Workshop with Eric P. Mandat
BASS-ically Speaking: The Highs and Lows of the Bass Clarinet with Michael Lowenstern
Teaching with Toys: Creativity in the Clarinet Studio with David Bell
E-flat-uation: Learning to Love the Eb Clarinet with Jorge Montilla
I’ve Got Your Bach…and Telemann: An Approach to Skill Building through Unaccompanied Works with Kathy Pirtle
Tell Your Story! Improv 101 and Jam Session with Chloe Feoranzo
Arranging for the Clarinet Quartet with Erin Miesner and Lake Effect Clarinet Quartet
Sound Health: Somatics in the Clarinet Studio with Rosemary Engelstad

Shared Recitals

John Bruce Yeh and Jorge Montilla
Michael Lowenstern and Eric Mandat
David Bell, Kathy Pirtle, Andrea DiOrio

Gala Concert

Chicago Clarinet Ensemble, 10th Anniversary Concert with Michael Lowenstern, Jorge Montilla, Chloe Feoranzo, and John Bruce Yeh

General Rate: $115 for the Two-Day Symposium

Student Rate: $80 (must be enrolled full time)

Daily Rate: $65

Individual Master Class or Concert Rate: $15 (pay at the door)

Registration and Accommodations

(detailed schedule will be posted in February)

Chicago Woodwind Ensemble Competition: October 22th, 2016

Eligibility: Any combination of woodwind ensembles ranging from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 8 players. In lieu of screening recordings, each group must send a short referral/recommendation letter from a teacher or professional reference, or a link to a live performance. Please send the letter, via email, to Dr. Rose Sperrazza, rsperrazza@comcast.net. Applications may be filled out and submitted on line (see below).

Repertoire: Original or transcriptions are acceptable. Please choose repertoire that shows the group at its best within the 8-minute time limit. Performances that exceed 8 minutes will be disqualified.

Date/Location: The competition will be held at Northeastern Illinois University, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659. on October 22, 2016 at 3:00PM. The competition will be open to audience members and begins at 3:00PM. Each group will be notified of acceptance within one week of application submission.

Requirements: There are no age restrictions. Groups of all experience levels are welcome but please be advised that letters of recommendation will be strongly considered. There is a $15 fee per member of each ensemble. Payment may be in the form of check (Chicago Clarinet Ensemble) or Pay Pal (you will be invoiced after acceptance). Payment must be made in full within 5 business days of the ensemble’s official acceptance.

Prize: $1,000. Taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners.

Adjudicators: To Be Announced

Deadline: October 17, 2016 (repertoire list can be sent after this date)

Transportation and Lodging: Participants from outside the Chicago area must make their own hotel, transportation and meal arrangements. Northeastern Illinois University does not have dormitories. We recommend the Holiday Inn of Skokie, Illinois due to its proximity to the university. We may be able to arrange a shuttle to and from the competition. Holiday Inn

April 16, 2016: A Variety show starring Patti Vasquez and Jorge Montilla

The Chicago Clarinet Ensemble presents a variety show with Chicago comedian and WGN radio host PATTI VASQUEZ. She kicks off the night with her hilarious stand up comedy and then interviews the musicians and performers. Venezuelan super star clarinet virtuoso JORGE MONTILLA joins Chicago Clarinet Ensemble for a new arrangement of Piazzolla’s Muerte del Angel. Enjoy performances by Chicago’s South Shore Color Guard (original choreography by Asher Waldron), soprano Kathy Cowan, and kid dance duo Katherine and Alexander Waterman. Get some variety in your life on April 16th at 7:30PM!

Saturday, April 16th, 7:30PM. NEIU Auditorium, 3701 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL
General Admission: $15; Students: $10; NEIU
Purchase Tickets HERE.

Chicago Clarinet Ensemble and Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans: October 16th, 2015

Doreen Ketchens, the “Queen of Clarinet” from New Orleans is coming to Chicago!

Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans will be featured on the Jewel Box Series at Northeastern Illinois University on October 16th, 2015 at 7:30PM. Chicago Clarinet Ensemble is completely jazzed about performing Leo Schwartz’s new arrangement of Gershwin’s Summertime with Dore Doreen for Pixo en. Get your tickets early for this concert because we expect a full house!

Get your tickets HERE. Use the code “CCE” for a $5 discount!

March 9, 2015: Clarinet Fresh with Diana Haskell

Chicago Clarinet Ensemble welcomes Diana Haskell, Associate Principal and Eb Clarinetist with the St. Louis Symphony. Clarinet Fresh breaks away from CCE’s mainly large ensemble repertory to highlight the ensemble’s chamber commissions as well as newer works for the clarinet.

Ms Haskell will premiere”Dog Days” by Leo Schwartz, a work for clarinet, piano, and baritone which Haskell recently commissioned. She will also perform Gregory Vadja’s “Lightshadow – Trembling” for unaccompanied clarinet. Chicago Clarinet Ensemble brings back Eric Mandat’s sextet “Pursuits of Happiness” performed with John Bruce Yeh on Eb clarinet – a part which was specifically written with Yeh in mind – along with Diana Haskell on Bb clarinet, and members of CCE. Other works on the program include “Let’s Snap” by Jun Yi Chow, commissioned and performed by the Novacane Clarinet Quartet, winners of the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble’s 2014 Clarinet Ensemble Competition. Join us for this collaboration of clarinet artistry combined with the freshest possible clarinet compositions.

Diana Haskell, clarinet
John Bruce Yeh, clarinet
Kay Kim, piano
Robert Heitzinger, baritone
Chicago Clarinet Ensemble
Novacane Clarinet Quartet

MARCH 9, 2015 7:30PM
Northeastern Illinois University
Recital Hall

Tickets: $10 General Admission

GET TICKETS HERE

Clarinet Ensemble Competition: October 18th, 2014

Clarinet Ensemble Competition

Adjudicated by the Omega Clarinet Quartet

Eligibility: Small clarinet ensembles ranging from a minimum of
3 to a maximum of 6 players. In lieu of screening recordings, each group must send a short referral/recommendation letter from a teacher or professional reference. Please send the letter, via email, to Dr. Rose Sperrazza, r
sperrazza@comcast.net. Applications may be filled out and submitted on line (see below).

Date/Location: The competition will be held at Northeastern Illinois University, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659. on October 18th, 2014. The competition will be open to audience members and begins at 3:00PM. Each group will be notified of acceptance within one week of application submission.

Requirements: There are no age restrictions. Groups of all experience levels are welcome but please be advised that letters of recommendation will be strongly considered. There is a $10 fee per member of each ensemble. Payment may be in the form of check (Chicago Clarinet Ensemble) or Pay Pal (you will be invoiced after acceptance). Payment must be made in full within 5 business days of the ensemble’s official acceptance.

Prize: $1,000. Taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners.

Adjudicators: The competition will be judged by the members of the Omega Clarinet Quartet of Brazil. They will be performing on Friday, October 17th at 7:30PM and we have complimentary tickets for the competition participants that choose to attend. Interested ensembles should begin by submitting the following form. Don’t forget to send your recommendation letter via email to: rsperrazza@comcast.net

View this Announcement in Spanish: Concurso de clarinetes

May 2, 2014: John Bruce Yeh, Chicago’s Own

The Chicago Clarinet Ensemble welcomes back clarinet virtuoso JOHN BRUCE YEH. In 2007, John joined CCE for our very first concert. Now, on our 7th Anniversary, he takes the stage again to perform this sensational arrangement of the Finale from Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. John will also be featured on Eb clarinet in a premiere performance of Invincible Summer, a clarinet quartet composed by CCE’s Composer in Residence and Jeff Award Recipient, Leo Schwartz. Other repertoire includes the second movement of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto performed by David Tuttle, alto saxophone; the ever popular Molly on the Shore by Grainger, and more. Please join us for this exciting and entertaining celebration of music. A Vandoren-sponsored reception to follow.