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K-State Today

August 18, 2014

K-State professor performs at international clarinet convention

Submitted by Tod Kerstetter

Tod Kerstetter performs on the bass clarinet.

Tod Kerstetter, K-State professor of clarinet, performed a solo bass clarinet selection at the 2014 convention of the International Clarinet Association. ClarinetFest 2014, which was attended by more than 1,400 clarinetists from around the world, took place on the campus of Louisiana State University from July 30 to Aug. 3.

Kerstetter serves as treasurer on the International Clarinet Association's executive board, having won an election for a second two-year term this spring from the group's nearly 4,000 members.

The annual ClarinetFest represents the single most important convention in the world devoted entirely to the clarinet and its history, performance and pedagogy. Clarinetists are invited to perform or present research papers at ClarinetFest through the submission of proposals, which are reviewed by the Artistic Committee appointed for each year's convention. Performers at ClarinetFest consist of a blend of professional symphony orchestra players, professional solo artists, college and university faculty artists, and other prominent clarinetists from a wide variety of nations. Presentations include recitals, lecture recitals, master classes, research papers and various pedagogical discussions.

In her blog about ClarinetFest 2014 events, Melissa Morales wrote: "In a brief departure from treble sonorities, Tod Kerstetter took the stage with bass clarinet in hand to play Roger Jannotta's transcription of "Improvisation on 'God Bless the Child'" by Eric Dolphy. Kerstetter captured the thrill and nuance of improvisation with his fluid technique and raucous interjections of strength and power. One can only imagine there will be a flood of young clarinetists seeking out more bass clarinet repertoire in their training because of it."

A sound file of Tod Kerstetter performing this selection is available.