Mitchell Estrin, professor of clarinet and music director and conductor of the University of Florida Clarinet Ensemble, was honored at the United States Navy Band Clarinet Day in November 2014 as the keynote artist. Estrin also served as the event’s conductor for the clarinet choir, presented a master class and served on a discussion panel.
The Navy Band’s third annual Clarinet Day, held in Washington, D.C., is aimed at attracting high school and college students interested in the instrument through forums and recitals. Estrin was invited to participate by Navy representatives when he served as the director at the International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest Festival Clarinet Choir.
“The clarinet section of the United States Navy Band is one of the finest in the world,” Estrin said. “It was an honor and a great musical experience to work with them. The most rewarding part was sharing my passion for the clarinet and clarinet choir with my colleagues and the attendees.”
Also in November 2014, Estrin traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to serve as conductor for the sixth time at the International Clarinet Association Mid-America Festival Clarinet Choir Concert. The event, held at The Ohio State University, gathered renowned clarinetists from all over the world for concerts, lectures, recitals and master classes.
In February, Estrin will be a featured artist at UCF’s Clarinet Day, appear at the 2015 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention in San Antonio, Texas, and will serve as the conductor for the 2015 International Clarinet Association Southeastern Festival in Birmingham, Alabama. In March, he will serve as the artistic director of the annual Vandoren Clarinet Ensemble Festival. He is also preparing for a UF Clarinet Ensemble performance, featuring the winner of the 2015 Clarinet Studio Competition and two guest artists from Austria.
