Robert Spring - Clarinet
Robert Spring has been described as "one of this country's most sensitive and talented clarinetists," Arizona Republic, "dazzled his audience...flawless technique," The Clarinet Magazine, and "a formidable soloist...played with great emotional life" Copenhagen, Denmark, Politiken. Spring's recording of Grawemeier Award-winning composer Joan Tower's works for clarinet was described by The Clarinet Magazine as "truly outstanding....one would be hard-pressed to find better performances of contemporary music.... first-rate music performed with the highest professional standards." The Instrumentalist Magazine says of his recording, "Dragon's Tongue", a CD of virtuoso music for clarinet and wind band, "His musicality and technique make this recording a must for every CD collection." Fanfare Magazine says of the CD, "Tarantelle", music that the famous violinist Jascha Heifetz recorded on violin, being performed on clarinet, "This recording was meant to amaze and, man, it succeeds."
The America Record Guide writes about his recent recording of the Copland Clarinet Concerto, "Spring is fabulous in the Copland. His phrasing is elegant swing tailored with great flow and a spread of tone colors and expressive subtleties. His low- and mid-range are especially warm, rich, and embracing and highly effective in the introduction and in the bridge to the jazzy finale. And boy what a finale! The pace is neatly judged to pick up at critical junctures so that, by the end, it feels like an improvised jam session."
Spring attended the University of Michigan where he was awarded three degrees, including the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. He was recently awarded the "Citation of Merit Award" from the School of Music Alumni Society. His teachers included John Mohler, David Shifrin, and Paul Shaller. Spring has performed as a recitalist or soloist with symphony orchestras and wind bands in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America, and has been heard in the United States on National Public Radio's, Performance Today. He frequently serves as a clinician and adjudicator and teaches on the faculties of several summer music festivals. He has published numerous articles on multiple articulation and other contemporary clarinet techniques.
Spring was president of the International Clarinet Association from 1998-2000 and has performed for numerous International Clarinet Association conventions. He hosted the 1995 International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest at Arizona State University where he is Professor Emeritus of Music in clarinet. Spring is also a guest professor at the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music. He is a Henri Selmer Paris Artist and performs on the Privilège clarinet.
Eddy VanOosthuyse - Clarinet
Albie Micklich - Bassoon
Andrew Campbell - Piano
Andrew Campbell has established himself as one of the most versatile collaborative pianists in the United States with a performing career that has taken him to six continents. Recent appearances include a South African concert tour, highlighted by a recital at the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival; a concerto performance with the Chintimini Festival Chamber Orchestra; and performances at the Miklin Festival Internacional in Bogotá, Columbia. He has collaborated with such diverse artists as violinist Chee-Yun, double bassist Catalin Rotaru, flutist Thomas Robertello, bassoonist Judith LeClair, trombonist Charles Vernon, saxophonist Timothy McAllister, composer Bright Sheng, and tenor Anthony Dean Griffey.
He served as opera rehearsal pianist for distinguished conductors André Previn and Plácido Domingo, and worked closely with the composer Carlisle Floyd on several productions of his operas. He has appeared at important venues including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, where The Strad and Strings magazines both hailed his performance as “excellent.” His partnership with violinist Katherine McLin in the McLin/Campbell Duo has led to performances on numerous recital series throughout the United States and Europe. His many recordings include the Rachmaninoff cello sonata with bassist Catalin Rotaru, cited for special praise by Bass World and XBass, two leading international journals. He has appeared as collaborative pianist at noted international conferences including the National Flute Association Convention, MTNA, the International Viola Congress, and multiple appearances at the International Double Reed Society, for which he has served as official pianist. Dr. Campbell studied with the renowned collaborative artist Martin Katz and is currently Director of the Collaborative Piano Program at Arizona State University. During the summer season, he is Director of Chamber Music for the Saarburg Serenaden and the Vianden International Music Festivals, performing annually on their faculty recitals in collaboration with colleagues from the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Katherine McLin - Violin
Sarah Schreffler - Violin
Nancy Buck - Viola
Jenna Dalbey - Cello