Olivia Meadows- A Program of Study for 21st Century Clarinet Techniques
Program: As clarinet students progress in their studies, there comes a point at which many are assigned to perform contemporary repertoire that is either overplayed due to accessibility and use in pedagogy, or includes difficult extended techniques like microtones, multiphonics, and more. This project identified a “gap” in unaccompanied clarinet repertoire and then expanded the repertoire by commissioning five new unaccompanied clarinet solos through which students can learn both traditional and untraditional techniques. Each of the first four works focus on one aspect of clarinet technique—musicality, the altissimo register, microtones, and multiphonics, respectively—and the final work is a culmination of all these techniques. The pieces are: "Of Moons and Meadows" by Zach Bush, "Ropes Course" by Josh Gottry, "My Own Thoughts" by Kurt Mehlenbacher, "Soliloquize" by Spencer Brand, and "Winter Fantasy" by Eric Mandat. Program note: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P9sghhPIhDpWgRrk1SIxM0tTJH2N12-1/view?usp=sharing Biography: Olivia Meadows, Clarinet, (MM, DMA, Arizona State University; BM, Florida State University) is a clarinetist and educator located in Annapolis, MD. Currently the Adjunct Instructor of Clarinet at the Community College of Baltimore County, Olivia has performed with professional orchestral ensembles such as the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Hawaiian Band, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and the Phoenix Boys Choir. She has also performed in a variety of capacities at each of the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFests since 2016, including a rescheduled performance in 2021. Olivia is passionate about teaching and guiding her students towards being the most well-rounded musicians they can be.
Program: As clarinet students progress in their studies, there comes a point at which many are assigned to perform contemporary repertoire that is either overplayed due to accessibility and use in pedagogy, or includes difficult extended techniques like microtones, multiphonics, and more. This project identified a “gap” in unaccompanied clarinet repertoire and then expanded the repertoire by commissioning five new unaccompanied clarinet solos through which students can learn both traditional and untraditional techniques. Each of the first four works focus on one aspect of clarinet technique—musicality, the altissimo register, microtones, and multiphonics, respectively—and the final work is a culmination of all these techniques. The pieces are: "Of Moons and Meadows" by Zach Bush, "Ropes Course" by Josh Gottry, "My Own Thoughts" by Kurt Mehlenbacher, "Soliloquize" by Spencer Brand, and "Winter Fantasy" by Eric Mandat. Program note: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P9sghhPIhDpWgRrk1SIxM0tTJH2N12-1/view?usp=sharing Biography: Olivia Meadows, Clarinet, (MM, DMA, Arizona State University; BM, Florida State University) is a clarinetist and educator located in Annapolis, MD. Currently the Adjunct Instructor of Clarinet at the Community College of Baltimore County, Olivia has performed with professional orchestral ensembles such as the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Hawaiian Band, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and the Phoenix Boys Choir. She has also performed in a variety of capacities at each of the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFests since 2016, including a rescheduled performance in 2021. Olivia is passionate about teaching and guiding her students towards being the most well-rounded musicians they can be.