The NIU Clarinet Cornucopia is a festival for all clarinet players. Founded in 2002, the NIU Clarinet Cornucopia focuses on a different theme each year. This year’s event will be held Saturday, February 16.
The NIU Clarinet Cornucopia is free to attend, but please register at our website: go.niu.edu/clarinet
Let us know what clarinet you will play in the Cornucopia Choir, if you would like to play in a master class and if you are in an ensemble that would like to perform. Professionals, teachers and graduate students may also perform during the Medley Recital, though no pianists are available from NIU.
All events take place in the Music Building on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.
Clarinet guest William Helmers joined the Milwaukee Symphony in 1980. He has also been a member of the contemporary ensemble Present Music since the group’s inception. He has worked with many other orchestras, including Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cleveland, Ravinia Festival, Santa Fe Opera and Rochester. Mr. Helmers is active in commissioning, performance and recording of new music; he gave the North American premiere of John Adams’ clarinet concerto, Gnarly Buttons, with the composer conducting, and the world premiere of James Grant’s Concerto for Bass Clarinet. Mr. Helmers has made numerous premiere recordings of solo and chamber music, including compositions by Roberto Sierra, James Grant, Kamran Ince, Jerome Kitzke, and others.
RUNDOWN
9 a.m. Warmup and Master Class with Greg Barrett Concert Hall
10 a.m. Cornucopia Choir Rehearsal #1 with Danko Drusko, director of the NIU Philharmonic Recital Hall
11 a.m. Medley Recital Professionals, teachers and graduate students Recital Hall
Noon Lunch on your own
1 p.m. William Helmers Recital assisted by NIU faculty Cheng-Hou Lee, cello; Gregory Barrett, clarinet and NIU graduate student Heewon Cha, piano. Recital Hall
2 p.m. Master Class with William Helmers Recital Hall
4:15 p.m. Cornucopia Choir Rehearsal #2 with Danko Drusko Concert Hall
5 p.m. Dinner on your own
6:30 p.m. Ensembles Performances Concert Hall
Questions?
Email Professor Gregory Barrett at gregbarrett@niu.edu. NIU reserves the right to substitute faculty artists and change the schedule.
The NIU Clarinet Cornucopia is held in the Music Building on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, 65 miles west of Chicago and 45 miles southeast of Rockford. The Music Building is located on Lucinda Avenue and can be found on Mapquest.com by using the address 400 Lucinda Ave. DeKalb, Illinois. Parking in campus lots is free on weekends; do not park in restricted spaces.
