Clarinet Cornucopia

Clarinet Cornucopia is a festival for clarinetists who enjoy playing and learning about their favorite instrument and its extended world. Founded in 2002, Clarinet Cornucopia focuses on a different theme each year. The 2013 theme is Clarinet Duos. Information and photographs from past Clarinet Cornucopias can be found at Gregory Barrett's website. 

This year’s performers/clinicians are William Hudgins and Catherine Hudgins.  William is the principal clarinetist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  Catherine performs frequently with the Boston Symphony, Portland (ME) Symphony, and as principal clarinetist with the National Lyric Opera.

The focus of the 2013 festival is the performance of duos, one of the most common performing situations for a clarinetist in an orchestra.  Usually the two unique parts are closely related and the players must match each other in tone, intonation, and style of interpretation.

The Cornucopia Choir returns under the directorship of Patrick Sheehan.  All participants are invited to join the choir, which rehearses twice during the day. Music to practice will either be posted on the website or sent to registrants by email about a month before the festival.

For the advancing pre-professional clarinetist, expert coaching of standard orchestral excerpts is offered in a free-ranging audition preparation master class.

All events take place in the Music Building on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.

This event has received financial support from the NIU School of Music. Thanks to a special grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the registration fees this year have been reduced and high school students are invited to attend gratis. A copy of a student ID will be required for everyone requesting reduced student fees.

Preliminary Schedule

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE DAY

CORNUCOPIA CHOIR
All participants are invited to join the Cornucopia Choir, which rehearses twice during the day and performs as part of the evening concert. Be sure to note your instrument on the registration form. Music to practice will either be posted on the website or sent to registrants by email about a month before the festival. Download and print your part, practice it ahead of time, and bring it with you on the day of the event.

PERFORMANCES
Solo Recital: William Hudgins and Catherine Hudgins perform after lunch.

Medley Recital: Adult professional performers/teachers and graduate students perform.  If you are interested in playing in this recital, submit a brief written performance proposal to Dr. Barrett by February 4 (receipt deadline). Send to gregbarrett@niu.edu or Greg Barrett, NIU School of Music, Northern Illinois University, 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, IL 60115. Indicate on the form if you plan to bring your own accompanist or if you want NIU to find an accompanist for you.

Evening Concert: NIU and guest clarinet ensembles and the Cornucopia Choir perform at 7:30 p.m.  If your ensemble would like to be considered for performance at the evening concert, contact Dr. Barrett by February 4.

MASTER CLASSES
Morning Master Class
Dr. Barrett encourages high school and college students to apply to perform in the morning master class.

If you would like to perform in Dr. Barrett’s master class, send a CD, mp3 file, or cassette tape of your performance of the repertoire you would like to play to Dr. Barrett by February 4 (receipt deadline). Send to gregbarrett@niu.edu or Greg Barrett, NIU School of Music, Northern Illinois University, 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, IL 60115. There is no additional charge for participation.

Afternoon Master Class
Guest artists William Hudgins and Catherine Hudgins coach students in a free-ranging audition preparation master class.

If you would like to perform in the afternoon master class, prepare a CD, mp3 file, or cassette tape of three contrasting orchestral excerpts that you would like to play. Send to gregbarrett@niu.edu or Greg Barrett, NIU School of Music, Northern Illinois University, 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, IL 60115. Receipt deadline: February 4. Those who are accepted will be expected to pay an additional $30 when they register on February 4.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Hotel
A block of rooms has been reserved for the nights of March 8 and 9 for participants at the Holmes Student Center Guest Rooms on the campus of Northern Illinois University. The rooms cost about $65 (not including tax) for a single or double and may be reserved by calling (815) 753-1444 by March 1. Mention the name of the event to the desk clerk for this rate. For a list of other DeKalb and area hotels, call (815) 753-1450. 

Maps and Parking
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. Directions to the campus and maps are available on this website. Parking in campus lots is free on weekends; do not park in restricted spaces.

Meals
Lunch and dinner are on your own. A list of restaurants will be available at the registration table.

REGISTRATION
Print and complete the registration form and mail with your payment to: Office of External Programs, College of Visual and Performing Arts, 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy., Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115-2828. Your form must be accompanied by your payment. You may pay by check (payable to Northern Illinois University) or credit card.

Cancellation Information
In the event that the event organizers decide to cancel the event because of the weather, or if NIU is closed for any reason, registration fees will be refunded. If you suspect the event might be cancelled, feel free to call the office, which is open Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. We will do our best to provide information about this: Check our website, your email in-box, and your telephone messages. If it is after 4:30 p.m. on a weekday or anytime during a weekend, you’ll find a message on our voice mail. The number is (815) 753-1450. If the event is not cancelled, but an individual decides not to attend for any reason, including weather, there are no refunds.

NIU reserves the right to substitute guest artists and change the schedule.

Questions?
Call (815) 753-1450 or e-mail dbooth@niu.edu or Gregory Barrett at gregbarrett@niu.edu.

FEES
Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, we are again able to offer reduced fees for this year's event.

Early Bird Fees (must be received by February 4) Note: Students who are requesting the special students rates are expected to provide a copy of a student ID.  A registration form is required for each attendee.
free for high school and NIU students
$20 per person for college students
$40 per person, general public

After February 4
free for high school and NIU students.  Note: Students who are requesting the special students rates are expected to provide a copy of a student ID.  A registration form is required for each attendee.
$30 per person for college students 
$55 per person, general public