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James Campbell – Conn-Selmer Artist in Residence 2024/25

James Campbell – Conn-Selmer Artist in Residence 2024/25

Oct. 2, 2024

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James Campbell, hailed as “Canada’s premier clarinetist” by the Ottawa Citizen, will serve as the Conn-Selmer Artist in Residence for the 2024/25 season at Wilfrid Laurier University. With a distinguished career spanning over 35 countries and collaborations with some of the world’s most renowned musicians, Campbell will enrich our community with a variety of concerts, masterclasses, lectures, and symposiums. 

In 2012, Campbell was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Laurier in recognition of his contributions to music. He has a longstanding connection with the university, frequently leading workshops and delivering guest lectures, fostering an inspiring learning environment for students and faculty. 

A highlight of his recent involvement was in 2022 when Campbell performed with Steven Page (DMus ’22), a founding member of Barenaked Ladies, and the Penderecki String Quartet in support of Laurier’s Making Space for Music fundraising campaign. 

We look forward to welcoming James Campbell to our campus and engaging with him in a variety of musical experiences that celebrate the artistry of the clarinet. 

Schedule of Events 

Visit I: October 8-9, 2024 

Wind/Chamber Music Masterclass

  • Open to all students
  • Date: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024
  • Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
  • Location: Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

Performances:

  • Rota – Trio (1st and 2nd movements)
    • Performers: L. Pilatan (Clarinet), M. Kyle (Cello), G. Yeomans (Piano)
  • Malcolm Arnold – Sonatina (movements 1 & 2)
    • Performers: L. Pilatan (Clarinet), Stephanie Mara (Piano)
  • Gregson – Tribute to Finzi
    • Performers: A. Major (Clarinet), Stephanie Mara (Piano)
  • Clarinet Trio
    • Performers: G. Frank, A. Major, A. Edwards

Finding a Path as a Performer: Symposium with Master of Music C3 students

  • Open to all students
  • Topic: Finding a Path as a Performer
  • Facilitator: Dr. Kirsten Yri
  • Date: Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024
  • Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m.
  • Location: Mezzanie, Savaas Chamberlain Music Building

Concert with James Campbell (clarinet), Leslie Fagan (voice), Angela Park (piano) 

Tickets: $40 / $10 for students / Laurier students free
Featured Artists: James Campbell (Clarinet), Leslie Fagan (Voice), Angela Park (Piano)
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

Presented in collaboration with the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society

Visit II: November 5-7, 2024 


Clarinet Masterclass

  • Date: Monday, November 4
  • Time 6:30 - 8 p.m.
  • Location: M2009

Masterclass & Lecture: Johannes Brahms - Digging Deeper

  • Date: Tuesday, November 5
  • Time: 4 - 6 p.m.
  • Location: Theatre Auditorium

Performances:

  • Brahms Horn Trio
    • Performers: L. Santoptrete (Piano), K. Cook (Violin), E. Turner (French Horn)
  • Clarinet Sonata in E-flat Major
    • Performers: G. Frank (Clarinet), Stephanie Mara (Piano)

Concert: Brahms Chamber Music for Clarinet

Presented in collaboration with the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society

Visit III: February 12-14, 2025

Composition Seminar

  • Date: February 13, 2025
  • Time: 10:30 – 11:50 a.m.

Concert with James Campbell and the Laurier Symphony Orchestra

  • Featuring: James Campbell with the Laurier Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Cynthia Johnston Turner
  • Date: February 14, 2025
  • Time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Theatre Auditorium, WLU
  • Tickets: $30 / WLU students free

About James Campbell 

James Campbell is celebrated for his outstanding contributions to the world of music as both a soloist and chamber musician. His extensive career includes performances with over 60 orchestras, including the Boston Pops, Montreal Symphony, and the London Symphony. He has toured globally and collaborated with luminaries like Glenn Gould and Aaron Copland. 

With over 40 recordings to his name, Campbell's rendition of the Brahms Clarinet Quintet has been hailed as the best available by both the BBC and The Times of London. His album Stolen Gems (Marquis Records) earned a JUNO Award, further solidifying his status as a leading clarinetist. 

In recognition of his artistic achievements, Campbell has received numerous accolades, including being named Canada’s Artist of the Year, receiving the Queen’s Gold and Diamond Jubilee Medal, and being appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada. Additionally, he was honored with an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Wilfrid Laurier University in June 2012. 

As the Artistic Director of the Festival of the Sound since 1985 and a former Professor of Music at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University (1988-2019), Campbell continues to inspire the next generation of musicians through masterclasses worldwide. 

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