Principal with LA Philharmonic to visit APSU as Acuff Chair for Clarinet Day
(Posted Sept. 12, 2018)
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. 鈥 On Sunday, Sept. 23, Boris Allakhverdyan, principal clarinet in the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will visit Austin Peay State University for the Department of Music鈥檚 annual Clarinet Day celebration. The day will consist of master classes, recitals, breakout sessions from regional clarinet professors and teachers, vendors with mouthpieces, reeds, music and instruments to try and a clarinet choir for all participants.
The day will conclude with a 7:30 p.m. performance by Allakhverdyan and the Gateway Chamber Orchestra in the University鈥檚 Mabry Concert Hall.
鈥淚t will be a great day 鈥 all ages and abilities are welcome,鈥 Dr. Spencer Prewitt, assistant professor of music, said. 鈥淎nd don鈥檛 forget to bring your instrument for the clarinet choir.鈥
The cost to participate in Clarinet Day is $25, and the fee includes access to all events and a T-shirt. Admission to the Gateway Chamber Orchestra concert, featuring Allakhverdyan as soloist, is also included with the registration.
Allakhverdyan is one of six musical artists-in-residence at Austin Peay this year through the APSU Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts鈥 (CECA) 2018 Acuff Chair of Excellence. Established in 1985 by the legendary 鈥淜ing of Country Music鈥 Roy Acuff, the chair is an endowed professorship designed to bring regionally and nationally acclaimed artists together with students, faculty and community members in a creative environment. The chair, administered through CECA, rotates each year between different creative arts department at APSU, with the Department of Music hosting it this year.
Allakhverdyan was appointed principal clarinet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2016. He previously served as principal clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the associate principal clarinet of the Kansas City Symphony. Allakhverdyan is a founding member of the Prima Trio, the Grand Prize and the Gold Medal winner of the prestigious 2007 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
The New York Times called his performance "inspired," "gorgeous" and "superlative," and the Los Angeles Times praised his "energetic, vibrant solos."
For information on Clarinet Day, contact Prewitt at prewitts@apsu.edu.