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 Historical Clarinet Workshop – August 8-11, 2016

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! CLick here to go to our registration link

Learn and Perform on Historical Clarinets this summer in Chicago! UPDATE: Chicago keyboardist David Schrader to join Marie Ross for featured concert during festival!

On the campus of Northeastern Illinois University and organized in
conjunction with Associate Professor of Clarinet, Dr. Rose Sperrazza

Classical-period historical clarinets made by a variety of modern-day makers will be provided at the workshop for participants to borrow and play in various chamber ensembles. Instruction will be given on how to play the instruments as well as in classical style performance practice.

Presentations on different aspects of historical performance practice will be given at the start of each day. Recitals featuring well-known specialists in historical performance practice will be held in the evenings. The four days will end with a group recital featuring all of the ensembles that were formed during the workshop.

The workshop is open to professionals and students.

Full workshop price for clarinetists including use of instrument and entrance to all events: $500
Reduced price for players bringing their own instrument: $250
Auditor price including entrance to all lectures and recitals: $100

Workshop Presenter: Dr. Marie Ross performs regularly on historical clarinets from the Baroque period through the early 20th Century. As Associate Principal Clarinetist of the French orchestra, Ensemble Matheus, she has performed with superstars like Cecilia Baroli and Lawrence Brownlee in the world’s most famous theaters like the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the Berliner Philharmonie, and Theater an der Wien. She also performs and records regularly with orchestras like Concerto Köln, Musica Aeterna, and the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin.
Dr. Ross studied as a modern clarinetist at the Eastman School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, and the University of North Texas before traveling to The Netherlands to study historical performance at The Royal Conservatory of The Hague.

Chicago Woodwind Competition: October 17th, 2015

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. 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 17th, 2015 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 1, 2015 (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

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.

Friday, May 2nd, 2014. NEIU Auditorium, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659

Parking Lot F

General Admission: $10; NEIU students, faculty, and staff: Free
Purchase Tickets HERE

10/26/13: Fifth Annual Chicago Clarinet Collaborations

April 20, 2013: Venezuelan Virtuosity

Friday, November 9: Del Monico Memorial Concert