Category: Blog
Clarinet Days 2021: A Virtual Series May 3-7, 2021
Go behind the scenes with MMI as we explore clarinet making with some of the worlds leading clarinet manufacturers.
Join us to learn more from Buffet, Selmer and Royal Global. Join us in our Live Sessions for a chance to win some great prizes!
Stay tuned to www.mmimports.com and our social media pages for more details.
https://www.facebook.com/MidwestMusicalImports
https://www.instagram.com/midwestmusicalimports/
Featuring Minnesota Clarinetists! Artist: Pat O'keefe
We are very excited to feature this months Minnesota Clarinetist Pat O'keefe!
Pat O’Keefe is co-artistic director and woodwind player for the contemporary music ensemble ZEITGEIST, based in St. Paul, Minnesota. An active proponent of contemporary classical music, Pat has performed and recorded with noted new music groups around the country, including SONOR in San Diego, the California E.A.R. Unit, the Cleveland New Music Associates, and Ensemble Sospeso in New York, as well as the San Diego Symphony and the Augusta Symphony in Augusta, Georgia, where he was the principal clarinetist for five seasons.
Beyond his activities in Western classical music, Pat is actively involved in other musical endeavors, as well. He is currently a member of the free improvisation group AntiGravity, and has appeared in concert with such notable improvisers as George Lewis, Anthony Davis, Wadada Leo Smith, J.D. Parran and Fred Frith. He has also studied Turkish music with Turkish Rom clarinetist Selim Sesler, and Brazilian music with master drummer Jorge Alabe. Pat was a percussionist with the Brazilian ensemble Sol e Mar in San Diego, and appears regularly with the groups Brasamba, Batucada do Norte and Music Mundial in the Twin Cities.
Pat holds a B.M. (with Performer's Certificate) from Indiana University, an M.M. (with Academic Honors and Distinction in Performance) from the New England Conservatory, and a D.M.A. from the University of California, San Diego. He is currently the clarinet instructor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He has taught previously at UCSD, Augusta State University and Georgia College.
INTERVIEW WITH PAT O'KEEFE
Learn more about Pat's clarinet beginnings along with his current approach to life during COVID-19 during an interview with clarinet specialists Tori Okwabi and Amelia Smith.
SOLO PERFORMANCES
Here Pat play Prelude movement from the Cello Suite in D Minor by J.S. Bach on Bass Clarinet
Hear Pat play Let Me Die Before I Wake by Italian composer Salvatore Sciarrino on Bb Clarinet
FUN CLARINET TRIO!!
Hear Pat and clarinet specialists Tori and Amelia play André de Sapato Novo, by André Vitor Correia Arranged by Pat O’Keefe (with Baxaria by Pixinguinha)
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! STAY TUNED FOR MORE FEATURED ARTISTS WITHIN OUR SERIES.
2020 Holiday Hours
Happy Holiday's from Everyone at MMI!
Featuring Minnesota Clarinetists! Artist: Karrin Meffert-Nelson
We are very excited to feature this months Minnesota Clarinetist Karrin Meffert-Nelson!
Karrin Meffert-Nelson, DMA, teaches clarinet, conducts the Gustavus Chamber Winds, and teaches courses in Music Education and Music History.
Dr. Meffert-Nelson maintains an active performing career as Principal Clarinetist with the Minnesota Opera Orchestra and through freelance work with Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Northrop Ballet Orchestra, and with productions at the State and Orpheum Theaters. She has also performed with the St. Louis Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, and the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota. As a clinician, Meffert-Nelson frequently appears as an adjudicator for area solo and ensemble contests and works with the woodwind sections of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies.
In addition to her DMA degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Meffert-Nelson holds the MM degree in Clarinet Performance from Northwestern University in Evantston, IL and the BM degree in Clarinet Performance and Music Education from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Prior to her appointment at Gustavus Adolphus College, Meffert-Nelson taught clarinet and chamber music at the University of Minnesota.
INTERVIEW WITH KARRIN MEFFERT-NELSON
Learn more about Karrin's clarinet beginnings along with his current approach to life during COVID-19 during an interview with clarinet specialists Tori Okwabi and Amelia Smith.
SOLO PERFORMANCE
Here Karrin play Béla Kovács: Hommage à Béla Bártok
Stay tuned for our next featured Minnesota Artist in December 2020!
Featuring Minnesota Clarinetists! Artist: Sang Yoon Kim
We are very excited to feature this months Minnesota Clarinetist Sang Yoon Kim!
South Korean clarinetist Sang Yoon Kim is the first prize winner of several international competitions, including the 67th Prague Spring International Music Competition in 2015, the UNISA International Flute and Clarinet Competition in 2014, and the Jacques Lancelot International Clarinet Competition in 2012. He is also a past laureate of the International Clarinet Competition in Ghent.
Sang Yoon Kim is a sought-after chamber musician, working with leading international artists, among them Swedish clarinetist Martin Fröst at the Stavanger International Chamber Music Festival, the celebrated French string quartet Quatuor Ebene, pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Robert Levin. Kim also made his debut at the Ravinia Festival with the Calidore String Quartet in 2013.
As a passionate orchestra player, he has played as the guest principal clarinet of The Cleveland Orchestra and the London Philharmonic, with Vladimir Jurowski, Christoph Eschenbach, Franz-Welser Most and Jaap Van Zweden. He made his debut at the Prague Spring International Festival in 2016 as a soloist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of their Music Director, Sakari Oramo.
A graduate of the Conservatoire de Paris, where he was accepted as the first Korean clarinetist in the school's history, he studied with distinguished professors Michel Arrignon and Pascal Moragues. After Paris he went on to study in Los Angeles at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, gaining an artist diploma under Yehuda Gilad in 2014. He served as Young Artist in Residence with Classical Minnesota Public Radio in 2013.
Sang Yoon Kim is a Buffet Crampon and Silverstein ligature artist.
INTERVIEW WITH SANG YOON KIM
Learn more about Sang Yoon's clarinet beginnings along with his current approach to life during COVID-19 during an interview with clarinet specialists Tori Okwabi and Amelia Smith.
SOLO PERFORMANCE
Here Sang Yoon play Béla Kovács: Hommage à Z. Kodály
CONTEST: Duet Play-Along
Want to challenge your playing and win gift certificates or prizes?
Kegelduett No. 2 for 2 Bb Clarinets by Wolfgang Mozart
Play 2nd part and all repeats
Quarter note = 146
Contest Rules/Tips:
1. Contestants must post their video to the comment section of MMI's Facebook post for the featured artist or simply on MMI's Instagram page #midwestmusicalimports
2. Download the music, use headphones to listen to the 1st clarinet part as you record yours (and to help minimize background noise).
3. Record in good lighting and with your device in vertical view. This allows us to easily put the duet together and repost for you.
4. If possible, stay at least a foot away from the recording device to prevent overpowering the audio input.
5. Deadline is October 31, 2020 - good luck and have fun!
Stay tuned for our next featured Minnesota Artist in November 2020!
Yamaha Step Up Rebate 2020
Featuring Minnesota Clarinetists! Artist: Gabriel Campos-Zamora
We are very excited to feature this months Minnesota Clarinetist Gabriel Campos-Zamora!
Gabriel Campos Zamora, a native of San José, Costa Rica was appointed principal clarinet of the Minnesota Orchestra in June 2016. Campos was most recently the associate principal clarinet of the Kansas City Symphony and has appeared as guest principal clarinet with the Cleveland Orchestra, Seattle and Houston Symphonies in addition to serving as the Virginia Symphony's principal clarinet.
Campos has been a participant at the Marlboro Music Festival and frequently performed in the Kansas City Symphony "Happy Hour" chamber music concerts. He was a fellow of Ensemble ACJW, a program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and the Weill Music Institute in partnership with the New York City Department of Education. A laureate of several competitions, he received first prize at the 2008 Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition, in addition to winning concerto competitions at the 2009 Aspen Music Festival, 2010 Music Academy of the West, and 2011 National Repertory Orchestra.
Campos began his musical training at the Instituto Nacional de Musica as a student of Jose Manuel "cheche" Ugalde. He then came to the United States to study at the Interlochen Arts Academy with Nathan Williams and later received his bachelor's degree in music from the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles, where he studied with renowned professor Yehuda Gilad. He has been a participant of the Aspen, Music Academy of the West, National Repertory Orchestra, Spoleto and the Tanglewood Music Center festivals.
INTERVIEW WITH GABRIEL CAMPOS-ZAMORA
Learn more about Gabi's clarinet beginnings along with his current approach to life during COVID-19 during an interview with clarinet specialists Tori Okwabi and Amelia Smith.
SOLO PERFORMANCE
Here Gabi play Dos melodias para Clarinete Solo, No. 2 by Vinicio Meza.
CONTEST: Duet Play-Along
Want to challenge your playing and win gift certificates or prizes?
Theme from Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 2nd Movement - 8notes.com
Play 2nd part
Quarter note = 146
Contest Rules/Tips:
1. Contestants must post their video to the comment section of MMI's Facebook post for the featured artist or simply on MMI's Instagram page #midwestmusicalimports
2. Download the music, use headphones to listen to the 1st clarinet part as you record yours (and to help minimize background noise).
3. Record in good lighting and with your device in vertical view. This allows us to easily put the duet together and repost for you.
4. If possible, stay at least a foot away from the recording device to prevent overpowering the audio input.
5. Deadline is September 30, 2020 - good luck and have fun!
Stay tuned for our next featured Minnesota Artist in October 2020!
Featuring Minnesota Clarinetists! Artist: Jennifer Gerth
We are very excited to feature this months Minnesota Clarinetist Jennifer Gerth!
Jennifer is in her 21st season as principal clarinet of the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra. A substitute with the Minnesota Orchestra since 1995, she has performed with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Opera, VocalEssence, and in orchestras for touring Broadway shows, and ballet companies. Jennifer has a BA degree from St. Olaf College in music and mathematics, an MM degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and was a DMA candidate at the University of Minnesota (1992-1995), studying with Burt Hara. During her DMA she was a Concerto Competition winner, performing the Debussy Rhapsody with the University of Minnesota Orchestra. In 1999 she was a founding member of the Prospect Park Players, a chamber music group that was active in the Twin Cities for seven years. Jennifer continues her love for chamber music playing at the Festival of the Lakes chamber music festival in Alexandria, MN. With 27 years of collegiate teaching experience, Jennifer has taught at St. Olaf College, St. Cloud State University and College of St. Benedict. She currently teaches at the University of Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas and maintains a private studio.
INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER GERTH
Learn more about Jen and her approach to teaching and life during COVID-19 during an interview with clarinet specialists Tori Okwabi and Amelia Smith.
SOLO PERFORMANCE
Here Jen play Mvt. 1 of Miklós Rózsa's Sonatina for Solo Clarinet here.
CONTEST: Duet Play-Along
Want to challenge your playing and win gift certificates or prizes?
Selected Duets, Vol. 2 by Rubank/H. Voxman
Duet No. 3 - Ludwig Beethoven
Play 2nd part, starting on page 65, ms. 2 (a tempo)
Quarter note = 126
Contest Rules/Tips:
1. Contestants must post their video to MMI's Facebook or Instagram page #midwestmusicalimports
2. Download the music, use headphones to listen to Jen's part as you record yours (and to help minimize background noise)
3. Record in good lighting - not too dark!
4. If possible, stay at least a foot away from the recording device to prevent overpowering the audio input.
5. Deadline is August 9, 2020 - good luck and have fun!
Stay tuned for our next featured Minnesota Artist at the end of August 2020!
COVID-19 Store Protocols
How we are responding to COVID-19
UPDATE: Effective Monday May 18th, we will be open to walk-in customers! We have created new guidelines for operation. Please review them before making a trip in to the shop. Don’t forget, you can reach us by phone at 800.926.5587 with any questions you may have. New Saturday hours also apply: 10am-2pm
In light of the recent health crisis facing our nation, we here at Midwest Musical Imports are deeply committed to the health and safety of our staff, clients, and community. Luckily, no one in our shop has been exposed to the Coronavirus at this time and we are directing all staff to stay home and away from the office if they’re not feeling well. It is imperative that during this time we protect ourselves as well as each other.
Capacity:
Pursuant with guidance from the State of Minnesota and the Department of Health, we will be operating at 50%. This means that we will continue to have reduced staff in shop.
- No more than 3 walk-in customers will be permitted in the shop at any time. Staff will be responsible for monitoring the number of customers.
- Individual appointments for shopping/browsing can be arranged, please contact the office and set that up with one of our specialists.
- Curbside pickup/drop off for accessories and repairs will remain an option for those not wanting to come into the shop.
- The waiting area will be closed until further notice – no snacks, beverages or waiting will be permitted.
Face Coverings:
*Face coverings/masks will be required for all customers entering the shop. This also applies to children as well. Our repair staff and specialist will also be wearing face coverings/masks as well. Refusal to wear a mask/covering will result in denied entry. Please do not remove your face covering while you are in shop.
Repair Shop Protocol:
Updates to our repair shop procedures are as follows –
- NO WALK-IN REPAIRS – we are able to do small repairs but they will be required to be dropped off and picked up accordingly. You are welcome to wait outside of the shop for your repair to be complete but you will not be permitted to remain in the shop during the repair.
- Repair work will continue as normal however all instruments will be left to acclimate in our shop for approximately 48 hours before any work will begin.
- Repair technicians will wear latex gloves while working on all instruments and masks where applicable.
- Each of our repair technicians will clean/sanitize their work stations between working on each instrument.
- They will also clean and sanitize tools and work spaces throughout the day as well.
- Instrument cases will be cleaned and sanitized as well, both inside and out, before the instrument is returned to its case.
Instrument, Mouthpiece & Bocal Trials:
In order to ensure the safest possible circumstances for instrument trials, the following will be enacted until further notice.
- All in-store instrument trials will be by appointment only. There will be no walk-in or unscheduled instrument trials. You must schedule an appointment ahead of time.
- You will be required to bring your OWN SWAB in order to clean instruments you are trying.
- A cleaning cloth will be provided for you to wipe down instruments you have completed the while trial.
- MMI staff will NOT be permitted in the same room during instrument trials. All paperwork and questions will be done outside of the trial room/hall.
- NO IN STORE mouthpiece trials. All mouth piece trials will be limited to pickup/drop off only. They will be limited to 5 days. All mouthpieces will sit for 48 hours before being disinfected and then will sit for an additional 48 hours before being made available again.
- All instruments will sit for 48 hours before trials and after trials before being disinfected and made available for the next trial.
- Should you or anyone around you become sick during the trial or have been exposed to COVID-19, please notify us immediately so the necessary precautions and actions can be taken.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at any time! (612) 331-4717
Buffet $250 Instant Rebate & MMI Discounts
Get up to $500 off your R13 Bb or A clarinet purchase now through December 15, 2020. With Buffet's $250 discount and MMI's spectacular offers you can get up to $500 off! All clarinets are professionally setup at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE to our clients. Learn more about our setup here.
Check out MMI's July newsletter to learn more about summer deals, upcoming virtual events and more!
COVID-19 Note to Valued Customers
How we are responding to COVID-19
EFFECTIVE FRIDAY APRIL 27th - Curbside Pickup/Drop off of orders and repairs are now available. Please contact us at 800.926.5587 for more information.
In light of the recent health crisis facing our nation, we here at Midwest Musical Imports are deeply committed to the health and safety of our staff, clients, and community. Luckily, no one in our shop has been exposed to the Coronavirus at this time and we are directing all staff to stay home and away from the office if they’re not feeling well. It is imperative that during this time we protect ourselves as well as each other.
Cleaning & Sanitizing:
We are keeping close tabs on all state and national reports on the development of COVID-19. We are following all recommended CDC and WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing our space including disinfecting all public spaces, door handles, counter tops, and our employees’ work spaces.
Strict hand-washing guidelines have been put in place and our staff know they are to wash and sanitize before handling an instruments/accessories.
Reed Protocol:
We will continue to sell and process hand made oboe, English horn, and bassoon reeds. We have reached out to all of our reed makers and have asked that reeds be disinfected with the use of hydrogen peroxide or high content alcohol. We will also be sterilizing new shipments of reeds as they come in and we will be re-packaging all reeds in new, unused tubes and plastic coffins. Our staff have been instructed to wear gloves during this process.
Repair Shop Protocol:
Updates to our repair shop procedures are as follows –
- Repair work will continue as normal however all instruments will be left to acclimate in our shop for approximately 48-72 hours before any work will begin.
- Repair technicians will wear latex gloves while working on all instruments and masks where applicable.
- Each of our repair technicians will clean/sanitize their work stations between working on each instrument. They will also clean and sanitize tools and work spaces throughout the day as well.
- Instrument cases will be cleaned and sanitized as well, both inside and out, before the instrument is returned to its case.
Instrument & Bocal Trials:
Instrument trials will be extended from 7 days to 10 days to allow appropriate time for instruments to acclimate. We have recommended that you allow all instruments to rest and acclimate in your home for 48 hours before playing them.
- All new and used instruments will be wiped down and cleaned prior to shipping.
- All bocals (bassoon and English horn) will be cleaned and disinfected upon return to the shop and before leaving for the next trial.
Should you or anyone around you become sick during the trial or have been exposed to COVID-19, please notify us immediately so the necessary precautions and actions can be taken.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at any time!
(612) 331-4717