Scottish Clarinet Festival returns to RCS with special guest Nicolas Baldeyrou

Published: 07/10/2022

Calling all clarinettists!

Concerts, classes, a competition and a special guest artist … don’t miss the return of the Scottish Clarinet Festival at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland this month.

On Sunday 16 October, clarinettists of all stages can enjoy a variety of activities, from one-to-one lessons to a masterclass and concert by renowned international musician, Nicolas Baldeyrou.

Visit Nicolas Baldeyrou’s YouTube channel

Sponsored by Buffet Crampon, the French manufacturer of wind instruments, participants can also perform in the Clarinet Choir in the festival’s showcase concert.

Directed by RCS lecturer John Cushing, clarinettists will rehearse during the day, playing side-by-side with RCS students, and the programme will include a performance with Nicolas Baldeyrou as soloist.

The festival will also feature RCS Woodwind tutors Yann Ghiro, Tim Orpen, John Cushing, Joe Pacewicz, Lawrence Gill and alumnus Adam Lee.

“We can’t wait to host the Scottish Clarinet Festival at RCS, especially after a hiatus due to the Covid pandemic,” said Woodwind lecturer Yvonne Robertson.

“We’re thrilled to offer an opportunity to connect with superstar clarinettist Nicolas Baldeyrou. Anyone who has heard his playing will be as excited as we are that he is able to join us at the RCS – his masterclass and performances are not to be missed! 

“The amazing Scott Mitchell will be our pianist for the day, and participants can also take part in one-to-one lessons with RCS clarinet faculty. We’re also looking forward to welcoming home alumnus Adam Lee, who will perform in the showcase concert and be available for one-to-one lessons too.”

Thanks to generous sponsorship from Buffet Crampon, entry to the festival is free. It starts at 9.30am, book tickets at the RCS Box Office.

PRIVATE LESSONS

There will be private lessons slots available on the day to offer clarinettists of all abilities the opportunity to advance their skills and gain valuable knowledge from world-class tutors at RCS.

These lessons are available to a wide scope of players from amateurs to professional and for clarinettists from grade 4/5 through all further stages of development.

Full price – £30

In full-time school education – £15

CLARINET WARM-UP CLASS

Please bring your clarinets along to this practical workshop where you will be expertly guided en-masse through exercises covering fundamental skills and offered tips to help you improve.

This is intended as an interactive session and we will invite questions from you to guide the focus of the workshop.

PERFORMANCE CLASS WITH RCS STAFF

Clarinettists of any age and stage are welcome to perform and we will invite volunteers from the audience to play on the day and receive expert advice on how to develop your performance skills.

Please bring your clarinet, music and any piano accompaniment with you as we will have a professional pianist available to play for you. Attendees are invited to observe these sessions.

CLARINET CHOIR

All festival attendees are welcome to play in the festival’s Clarinet Choir. Directed by John Cushing, you will rehearse during the day, playing side-by-side with RCS students, and will close our Showcase Concert.

The programme will include a performance with Nicolas Baldeyrou as soloist. Details on repertoire and seating to be confirmed.

SCOTTISH SCHOOL’S CLARINET COMPETITION FINAL SPONSORED BY THE WIND SECTION

Five selected clarinettists will perform a recital in our live final. A panel of RCS specialists will announce a winner on the day and all finalists receive feedback sheets and awards.

The winner will receive a brand new E13 Buffet Crampon Bb student clarinet sponsored by the Wind Section and all finalists will be invited to return to RCS for a bespoke experience including specialist tuition and observation / participation in activities.