CLARINET
The Clarinet Studio at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville is dedicated to producing students of the highest caliber. We strive to enrich our knowledge and ability as pedagogues, Performers to advance our craft for future generations. Our curriculum fosters an environment conducive to providing the experience necessary to create competent, competitive, artistic, and successful musicians. It is through these objectives that we work towards our professional goals with passion, integrity, and perseverance.
UTKlarinettenchor
The UTKlarinettenchor was founded in 2013 as a semi-chamber music ensemble with the intent of providing a comprehensive performance and pedagogical experience for clarinet students, both majors and non-majors! Students are given the opportunity to learn auxiliary instruments while honing their leadership skills in a positive and enthusiastic environment! The UTKlarinettenchor has been invited to perform at a variety of conferences such as the Tennessee Music Educators Association’s, and most notably, the International Clarinet Association’s 2019 ClarinetFest. The ensemble is dedicated to outreach concerts that include hosting our very own Single Reed Day Honor Invitational! This invitational is held every spring to engage and collaborate with over 130 regional high school students each year! Additional performance opportunities include local and regional tours to middle schools and high schools in the area. Impromptu concerts are often held during holiday occasions and allow our clarinetists to create community and involvement across campus! Whether performing on stage in AMB Cox Auditorioum, the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, or the Student Union Building, our clarinetists are sharing their performance skills with the community by engaging in vibrant, effective, and meaningful events! This is an exciting opportunity that meets every spring semester, once a week, Monday evenings! Come be a part of Tennessee Clarinet Tradition!
Meet Our Faculty
Victor Chávez
Associate Professor of Clarinet | vchavez@utk.edu
Professor Victor Chávez, Jr. is a Mexican-American, fifth-generation musician from El Paso, Texas. He is currently Associate Professor of Clarinet at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and holds tenured orchestral positions as third/bass clarinetist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, principal clarinetist of the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra in Johnson City, TN; the Symphony of the Mountains in Kingsport, TN; and the Tri-Cities Opera Company in Binghamton, NY. Additional teaching engagements include faculty positions at the California Central Coast Orchestra & Jazz Academy (COJAC) and Round Top International Festival Institute.
Internationally, he has lectured/performed at the Round Top Festival Institute, the International Clarinet Association Festivals in Baton Rouge, LA 2014; Madrid, Spain 2015; Lawrence, Kansas 2016; Orlando, Florida 2017; Ostend, Belgium 2018; and Knoxville, TN 2019. Additional international teaching and performance engagements include Costa Rica; France; Kasetsart University and Satit PIM Panyapiwat Institute in Bangkok, Thailand; and the Tainan National University of the Arts in Taiwan. In 2015, he worked with Daraja Music Initiative’s Clarinets for Conservation in Moshi, Tanzania, teaching and advocating for greater awareness and preservation of African Blackwood (mpingo) used to make clarinets.
Nationally, Vic has presented masterclasses at various universities/institutions across the United States, most notably, the San Francisco Conservatory, Northwestern University, DePaul University, University of Michigan, Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Vanderbilt University, Ithaca College, and the Eastman School of Music. Other national and regional performances include the Brevard Music Festival, the College Music Society Conference, the North American Saxophone Alliance, and KMTA/TMTA organizations. His solo performances can be heard on National Public Radio’s WUOT 91.9 FM, Knoxville.
Clarinet Graduate Teaching Assistantship
This position will provide a student with opportunities to develop the necessary skills for future teaching and performing jobs, including but not limited to: leadership, education, performance, and communication skills. The assistantship includes a tuition waiver, medical coverage and a monthly stipend for the duration of the appointment.
Requirements
The appointment is subject to satisfactory performance of duties and compliance with The University of Tennessee Student Handbook Hilltopics. Satisfactory progress toward the candidate’s degree program is required to maintain the assistantship.
Duties: Teach 1-5 applied clarinet students and coach chamber ensembles as needed. Other duties may be appointed according to the candidate’s abilities and interests.
Application Process
In addition to the application to the College of Music, you must complete and submit additional materials. For more information, visit the Auditions & Admission Information page. Applicants should also contact Dr. Angela Batey at abatey@utk.edu.
