Biography

Lauded for his “enchanting rich warm tone”, and “assured technique,” Vic Chavez, Jr. has quickly risen to prominence as one of his generation’s premiere clarinetists.   An active soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician, Vic has mesmerized audiences with his stunning performances and collaborations.  Performing in major venues throughout the United States such as Carnegie Hall and Symphony Hall in Chicago, additional performances and presentations include China, Ireland, Costa Rica, France, Spain, Tanzania, Belgium, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan.  His performances can often be heard on NPR’s WUOT 91.5 FM, Knoxville.   

As an orchestral clarinetist, Vic holds tenured positions as third/bass clarinetist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra; and principal clarinetist with the Symphony of the Mountains in Kingsport, Tennessee and the TriCities Opera Company in Binghamton, New York.  He has also performed with the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra, as well as the Waco Symphony Orchestra, Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, Erie Chamber Orchestra, and Belton Symphony Orchestra.  In June of 2017, Vic performed his Carnegie Hall debut in Weill Recital Hall with pianist Joong-Han Jung as part of the Víjon Duo.  

As an active member of the International Clarinet Association, Vic was the sole Artistic Director for ClarinetFest 2019 hosted on the University of Tennessee Knoxville. The conference attracted more than 1700 attendees, over 500 performers, over 70 vendors, 31 clarinet choirs, and holds a Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Clarinet Choir assembled.  Previous ICA ClarinetFest presentations and performances include Dublin, Ireland 2024; Ostend, Belgium 2018; Orlando, Florida 2017; Lawrence, Kansas 2016; Madrid, Spain 2015; and Baton Rouge, LA 2014.  Additional performances included the College Music Society Conference and the North American Saxophone Alliance.  He has worked with Clarinets for Conservation in Moshi, Tanzania, teaching and advocating for greater awareness and preservation of African Blackwood (mpingo) used to make clarinets. 

As an educator, Vic has been invited to present at some of the most acclaimed musical institutions in the United States such as the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, Indiana University, University of Michigan, DePaul University, the College Conservatory of Music, Vanderbilt University, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music amongst others.  Vic’s teaching has been praised as dynamic and thoughtful with clear objectivity while working to preserve clarinet pedagogical tradition at the highest level.  In 2014, he joined the faculty at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville as is the associate professor of clarinet at the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center’s College of Music.  During the summer months, Vic has taught at the COJAC – California Central Coast Orchestra & Jazz Academy in Salinas and the internationally renowned Round Top Festival Institute in Texas.     

In 2006, Vic was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Lusk Fellowship, allowing him to study in Paris, France, under the tutelage of Guy Deplus (Paris, Opera and CNSMDP). While in Paris as a Fulbright Scholar, Vic conducted his research in pedagogy, performance practice, and literature. 

As a student, Vic earned various prizes as a performer: twice at the El Paso Artists Guild Concerto Competition; twice Division Winner at the Entergy Young Texas Artists Competition; winner of the Baylor University Concerto Competition; Division Winner the International Sorantin Concerto; DePaul University Concerto Competition; and the Round Top Festival Concerto Competition.  He attended the Brevard Music Festival, Blossom Music Festival, and Round Top Music Festival and earned degrees from Baylor University-BME, DePaul University-MM, and The Eastman School of Music-DMA.  His primary pedagogues include Larry Combs (former principal of the Chicago Symphony), Guy Deplus (former principal of the Paris Opera and professor of the Conservatoire Nationale de Music de Paris), Jon Manasse (Former principal of the Metropolitan Opera), Julie Deroche, Kenneth Grant (Principal of the Rochester Philharmonic), Dr. Richard Shanley, Dan McKelway, Alan Olson, and Vin Richards.   

Vic is a Buffet Crampon Artist and exclusively plays on Buffet Crampon clarinets.

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Education

• DMA, Clarinet; Minor in Music Education – Eastman School of Music (2013)
• MM, Clarinet – Depaul University (2009)
• Fulbright Scholar – Paris, France (2007)
• BME – Baylor University (2006)