Hey, music lovers! What a spectacular day we had at Clarinet Day on September 28th at Schmitt Music Bloomington! This year’s event was nothing short of magical, filled with incredible performances, amazing talent, and fantastic brands coming together to celebrate the clarinet.
We kicked things off with the phenomenal Mark O'Brien, the principal bass clarinetist for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, who wowed the crowd with his stunning performance on the Firebird Bass Clarinet, complemented by a beautifully crafted mouthpiece from Brian Corbin of B. Corbin Clarinet Products and Royal Global, USA. Mark’s artistry set the stage for a day of musical brilliance!
But that was just the beginning! We were thrilled to have the legendary Doreen Ketchens' take the spotlight next, dazzling us with her high-energy performance on her Firebird clarinet by Royal Global. Known as the "Queen Clarinet, "Doreen brought the house down with her virtuosic style, leaving everyone in awe. From an opening performance of Summertime with The Twin Cities Clarinet Choir to her entertaining discussion on jazz funerals, if you missed her live performance, you definitely missed something special! Attendees were laughing and applauding from downbeat to cutoff.
The audience had the unique opportunity to engage with Brian Corbin during an interactive Q&A session, and they didn’t hold back with their insightful questions! The following hands-on demos of Royal Global clarinets and B. Corbin products allowed everyone to experience the incredible sound and craftsmanship firsthand.
If you fell in love with the sounds of the Firebird, you’re in luck! Schmitt Music boasts a stunning selection of Firebird clarinets from Soprano to bass, including one of the last remaining bass models with a fully wooden bell—absolutely gorgeous both in looks and sound!
A huge thank you to Royal Global for bringing such amazing artists to Schmitt Music's Clarinet Day, and to Brian Corbin for sharing his expertise and handcrafted mouthpieces and barrels. And of course, a standing ovation for the star of the day, Doreen Ketchens, for her inspiring performances and for being such a wonderful presence.
Check out Doreen's unique style and artistry as she performs "House of the Rising Sun" accompanied by her husband Lawrence Ketchens on the drums and sousaphone, simultaneously. Talent runs deep in the Ketchens' family. Check out the live performance here!
For all your clarinet needs, don’t forget that the Clarinet Gallery at Schmitt Music is your go-to resource for everything clarinet! From new and used instruments to mouthpieces and accessories, our dedicated clarinet specialists are here to help.
What an unforgettable day of music and community! Stay tuned for more events, and if you missed out this time, we can’t wait to see you next year!
