Clarinet Studio
Welcome to the Northern Arizona University clarinet studio website
The studio welcomes students from all disciplines within NAU and, as a result, is comprised of a vibrant group of thinking, creative individuals whose common passion is a love of making music. All clarinetists are encouraged by their colleagues to achieve their maximum potential in a weekly master class setting, where musical ideas and the techniques of playing the instrument are discussed. Individualized instruction for all clarinet players, be they music majors or minors, is a unique feature of attending NAU, with all students receiving weekly lessons.
Clarinetists at NAU have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of ensembles, ranging from chamber groups to large ensembles, such as woodwind quintets, the Wind Symphony, and the NAU Orchestra. In addition, prominent clarinetists from around North America present guest master classes each term to the studio, bringing fresh musical insight and perspectives on improving one’s abilities on the instrument. Finally, at the end of spring term, NAU hosts a single reed symposium that highlights performances and master classes by some of the most prominent practitioners of the instrument, finishing each year with a burst of inspiration.
NAU is an exciting place to be a clarinet player – come join us for a challenging and rewarding musical experience! And, please contact me directly if you would like more information about NAU’s many programs or for an introductory private clarinet lesson.
Professor Cris Inguanti
Cris.Inguanti@nau.edu
Selected performances by Professor Inguanti Accordion Closed
Poulenc Sonata, first movement
Muczynski Time Pieces, fourth movement
Clarinet Studio auditions
About auditioning for the studio
To be accepted to the School of Music as a music major, minor, or private student, you must apply to NAU and the School of Music, then arrange to audition for the clarinet studio. Please see the School of Music admission page for details about how to apply and schedule this audition.
How to prepare for your audition
- Undergraduate audition requirements: Ten minutes of audition material comprising two contrasting movements of a work, or two contrasting Rose etudes. If there is one complete work of ten minutes or more in duration that includes contrasting lyrical/technical passages (e.g – Weber Concertino), this work by itself is sufficient. Two-octave major scales are required.
- Graduate audition requirements: Fifteen minutes of audition material, to include at least one movement of a major concerto, plus a complete sonata illustrating both technical and lyrical capabilities. All major and minor scales are required.
For additional information please see clarinet audition repertoire.
About financial aid
You will be automatically considered for a School of Music Scholarship on the basis of your audition.
Clarinet performance opportunities
Clarinetists at NAU regularly perform as members of orchestras, bands, and smaller chamber ensembles.
Read more about large ensembles at:
Clarinet Studio expectations
All members of the NAU clarinet studio explore etudes and solo works tailored to their level of expertise and to their interests. All students perform at least twice per term in studio classes. Before the beginning of each term, students are assigned five or six orchestral excerpts from the standard repertoire that highlight specific skills (articulation, technique, control, pitch, musicality). These excerpts are presented at placement auditions at the beginning of the term. The results of the placement auditions are reflected in assignments to and seating within large ensembles. Performance majors study orchestral repertoire in detail, in addition to solo repertoire.
Resources
All members of the NAU clarinet studio are highly encouraged to become members of the International Clarinet Association (ICA).
The International Clarinet Association is a community of clarinetists and clarinet enthusiasts that supports projects that will benefit clarinet performance; provides opportunities for the exchange of ideas, materials, and information among its members; fosters the composition, publication, recording, and distribution of music for the clarinet; encourages the research and manufacture of a more definitive clarinet; avoids commercialism in any form while encouraging communication and cooperation among clarinetists and the music industry; and encourages and promotes the performance and teaching of a wide variety of repertoire for the clarinet. Learn more at www.clarinet.org.