Clarinettist
Earl M. Thomas
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RESUME
PERFORMING EXPERIENCE
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
PUBLICATIONS
SOCIETIES
REFERENCES
DISCOGRAPHY
REPERTOIRE
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A former member of the music faculties of New York city's Studios of Music Education, Oklahoma City University, The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts, The University of Kentucky and, since 1969, Eastern Kentucky University, Professor Thomas retired in 1991 and moved to Austin, Texas. His former clarinet students occupy teaching and performing positions in Canada the US and Germany.
As a professional Clarinetist, his performing background includes solo clarinet positions with the New York Woodwind Quintet, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Summer Symphony, the Oklahoma City Symphony and the Lexington Philharmonic. Professor Thomas appeared as Soloist on the Oklahoma City Symphony International Radio Series on twenty-one occasions performing major works from the solo literature for clarinet and orchestra via the network facilities of the Mutual Broadcasting System, the Voice of America, Armed Forces Radio, The BBC, CBC and Radio Free Europe. With the Lexington Philharmonic, Mr. Thomas has appeared as guest soloist on several occasions in the Mozart Clarinet Concerto and the Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra by Tuthill. He has also performed as soloist in Evansville, Indiana, Detroit, Michigan, Warren, Ohio, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Qualicum Beach and at the National Music Camp, Interlochen, Michigan.
Four composers have written works for his instrument which bear a dedication to the clarinetist: Leonard Klein, T.J. Anderson Jr., Spencer Norton and Albert Schmutz. Besides these premieres, Earl Thomas has given first radio performances of the Elie Siegmeister and Burnett Tuthill Clarinet Concerti as well as a Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra by David Ward.
Having received early instruction on clarinet from Victor Allessandro, Sr., Earl Thomas studied solfeggio and chamber music with that well-known southwestern Bandmaster through the Houston public schools. At eighteen, Thomas had to forego a scholarship from the Juilliard School of Music when he was called into WW II service. Following two years as an instructor/operator of wireless equipment, Thomas received an honorable discharge after a final eleven months of touring central Europe with the 7th Army's 20th Special Service Company.
In the fall of 1946, Thomas entered Juilliard where, as a student of the famed NBC Symphony clarinetist Augustin Duques, he began to venture into New York musical circles playing on special concerts at Columbia University for the ISCM, at the Museum of Modern Art and in Carnegie and Town Halls with the New York Wind and Brass Ensemble. While a Juilliard student, Thomas recorded on Dial, Eso-teric and Columbia Masterworks labels. He is listed as soloist in probably the first American recording of Berg's "Four Pieces for Clarinet Piano", Op.5. With a select instrumental ensemble from the Juilliard School, Thomas participated in performances of Sir William Walton's "Facade" with Dame Edith Sitwell reading her poetry for concerts and an album for Columbia Records. He also recorded works by Webern and Varese for Dial and Esoteric (Polydor) records. His training in chamber music was extensive, and he composed short chamber works that were performed on WNYC in 1950 for the American League of Composers. Mr. Thomas also studied the clarinet privately with the famed teacher Joseph Allard. In New York in the late 1940's, Thomas studied jazz improvisation privately with Lennie Tristano and participated in jam sessions with Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan, George Wallington, Max Roach, Barbara Carrol and many others from whom he endeavored to develop tasteful improvising style, ideas and execution.
When the opportunity arose to assume the post of principal clarinet of the Dallas Symphony, Earl Thomas took a leave from the Juilliard School after the summer session of 1950, and moved to Dallas where he was active in concerts of chamber music, televised serious music programs for KRLD-TV and private teaching. In the spring of 1952, Guy Fraser Harrison invited him to join the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra. In between seasons with the Dallas Symphony and Oklahoma City Symphony, Thomas performed with the Houston Summer Symphony, the New York Woodwind Quintet on two USA tours, the State Fair Musicals in Dallas' Fair Park Auditorium, the Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City, the star-studded "Hadacol Caravan" and the touring Billy May Orchestra under the direction of Sam Donahue.
For three years, Thomas was elected President of the Oklahoma City Chamber Music Society. In this capacity, he organized many programs that were free to the public, including a thirteen week series for Oklahoma Educational Television station KETA-TV. He was Musical Director and Conductor of the Society's production of "The Consul" by Menotti, and served three years in the role of Assistant Conductor of the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra.
Earl Thomas helped build the first all-classical FM station in Oklahoma City, KEFM, and he was active as producer/commentator of classical music programs on KYFM, KI00-FM, KFNB-FM and the CBS affiliate in Norman, WNAD. For three years, his weekly column "Records in Review" appeared in the Oklahoma City Advertiser. At Eastern Kentucky University, Professor Thomas produced forty-three weekly radio programs that featured faculty, guests and student performances from the EKU Department of Music. "Full Score, from EKU" was carried by eleven AM radio stations throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Mr. Thomas has been active as performer and teacher on the faculties of the National Music Camp and the University of Michigan at Interlochen, the Foster Music camp at EKU, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University and the Oklahoma College for Liberal Arts. As Music Director and Conductor, Mr. Thomas led the orchestral activities of the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts-Chickasha Community Symphony from 1967 to 1969 and the EKU Symphony Orchestra from 1972 until 1981 and continued his performance practice in solo appearances, as a recitalist, adjudicator, clinician and Principal Clarinetist with the Lexington Philharmonic. He is married to violinist/pianist Janice Musgrove Thomas, a native of New Westminister and former Concertmistress of the Nanaimo Symphony, who graduated from the Eastman School of Music in 1963. Mrs. Thomas performed in the first violin section of the Oklahoma City Symphony until the couple moved to Kentucky in 1969. There, she was a violinist in the Lexington Philharmonic for several seasons. Mrs. Thomas has been a teacher of piano since 1971. In October of 1995, the Thomas' moved to Nanaimo where they engaged in private teaching of Piano and Clarinet. In July, 1999, the couple built a new home in Qualicum Beach.
Position Objective: Music Performance and Teaching
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING EXPERIENCE:
(Discography and/or Tape recordings available on request)
Since 1946
NYC Concerts in Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, Juilliard, McMillan Theatre. Touring productions: My Fair Lady, "the King and I", "Fiddler on the Roof", "Hello, Dolly, "Ice Capades", "Ice Follies", "Pittsburgh Ballet, Rodeos, circuses, various operas, musicals, trade shows, miscellaneous single engagements and regional participation in orchestral, chamber, wind ensembles, faculty recitals, etc. in New York, Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Kentucky and on USA tours.
1948 - present
Re-issues of recordings for Columbia, Odyssey, Polydor, Dial, Esoteric and CRI records.
1948 - 1953
Clarinetist with the New York Woodwind Quintet and New York Wind and Brass Ensemble: recordings, NYC concerts, nationwide tours.
1950 - 1954
Lead Reed, State Fair Musicals, Dallas: summer musicals.
1950 - 1952
Principal Clarinet, Dallas Symphony Orchestra: NBC network broadcasts, subscription concerts, nationwide tours.
1951 - (summer)
Principal Clarinet, Houston Summer Symphony.
1952 - 1969
Principal Clarinet ~ Soloist, Oklahoma City Symphony: subscription concerts, weekly MBS, VOA, AFRTS, BBC, CBC AND RFE broadcasts.
1954 - (summer)
Lead Alto, The Billy May Band, Sam Donahue, director: nationwide tour.
1956 - 1969
Lead Reed, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma City: summer musicals.
1969 - 1991
Principal Clarinet and Soloist, Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra: subscription and chamber music concerts, regional FM broadcasts.
1991 - 1995
Austin, Texas. Private teaching, preparation of Clarinet teaching materials and performance.
1995 - (present)
Nanaimo, B.C. Canada. Performance, private teaching and preparation of Clarinet teaching materials.
PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
1947 - 1950
The Studios of Music Education: Instructor in Clarinet performance, New York City, New York.
1950 - 1952
Private Studio: Instruction in Clarinet and Saxophone, Brook Hays Music Company; Dallas, Texas.
1952 - 1969
Private Studio: Instruction in Clarinet and Saxophone; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
1957 - 1962
Oklahoma City University, Department of Music: Adjunct Professor; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
1962 - 1969
The University of Oklahoma, School of Music: Adjunct Professor in Clarinet ~ Saxophone; Norman, Oklahoma.
1966 - 1968
Oklahoma College for liberal Arts, Department of Music: Adjunct Professor in Clarinet, Saxophone, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, woodwind, Brass and Percussion methods; Chickasha, Oklahoma.
1969 - 1991
Eastern Kentucky University, Department of Music: Professor of Music, Music Director University Symphony Orchestra and classes in Clarinet, Saxophone, Chamber Music, Jazz Ensemble, Woodwind methods and History of American Popular Music Richmond.
1971 - 1972
The University of Michigan: Clarinet Instructor and Recitalist; National Music Camp, Interlochen, Michigan.
1971 - 1972
National Music Camp: Clarinet Instructor and Recitalist; National Music Camp, Interlochen, Michigan.
1973 - 1980
Foster Music Camp: Symphony Orchestra Conductor with classes in Chamber Music and applied Clarinet; Richmond, Kentucky.
1991 - 1995
Private Clarinet Studio: Clarinet instruction, Austin, Texas, USA
1996 - present
Malaspina University - College: Part-time Clarinet instruction. Nanaimo. RC. Canada. Coach of the woodwind section of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra. 1997-1998 Clarinet Instructor, The University of Victoria.
1946 - 1950
Juilliard School of Music, New York City, NY. 169 hours towards BS degree in Clarinet Performance, Minor-Music History. GPA 3.7
1963 - 1966
The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. BM in Clarinet Performance completed 1966, with a Minor in Music History. GPA 3.8
1966 - 1969
The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. MM in Clarinet Performance completed 1969, with a Minor in Music History. GPA 4.0
"Embouchure and Attacks" (The Selmer Bandwagon, Sept., 1954).
"Records in Review" (The Oklahoma City Advertiser, weekly column 1958 to
Contributor: "Clarinet Teaching Practices in the U.S. & Canada"; The University of Idaho, 1972.
"Anchor Tongues Away!" (The School Musician, Dec., 1978).
"Anatomical Essentials in Clarinet Embouchure" (The Clarinet, Vol. 8, No. 2 winter 1981).
"The Role of the Thumbs" (The School Musician, March 1982).
"Anatomical Essentials in Clarinet Hand Position" (The Clarinet, Vol. 20, No. 2 Jan/Feb, 1993). Reprinted in PIPERS, Tokyo, Japan, Sept.1993.
1942 - present American Federation of Musicians.
1969 - present Pi Kappa Lambda.
1971 - 1975 Music Teachers National Association.
Dr. Dan Robinette - Dean; College of Arts & Humanities, EKU, Richmond, KY 40475.
Dr. Richard Domek - Associate Professor of Music, UK, 1725 Traveller Rd. Lexington, KY 40504.
Dr. George Zack - Musical Director, Lexington Phil. Orch., 161 N. Mill St., Lexington, KY 40507.
Dr. Robert l. Hartwell - Professor of Music, EKU, Richmond, KY 40475.
Dr. Richard Bromley - Professor of Music, EKU, Richmond, KY 40475.
Mr. David Elliott - Assoc. Prof. of Music, UK; Pers. Mgr., Lexington Phil. Orch.
Commercial Recordings:
Berg: Four Pieces for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 5 - DIAL
Haines: Concertino for Seven Solo Instruments and Orchestra-CRI
Norton: Partita for Two Solo Pianos and Orchestra - CRI
Pozdro: Third Symphony - CRI
Sitwell/Walton: Facade - COLUMBIA MASTERWORKS/ODYSSEY
Stravinsky: Berceuse du Chat - DIAL
Stravinsky: Mavra - DIAL
Webern: Quartet, Op. 22 - DIAL
Webern: Symphony, Op. 21 - DIAL
Varese: Integrales - ESOTERIC/POLYDOR
Varese: Ionization - ESOTERIC/POLYDOR
Guest Soloist Engagements:
*Debussy: Premiere Rhapsody (March, '53)
*R.Strauss: Duet Concertino (Feb., '54)
*Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, K.622 (Jan. '56)
*Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante (Jan., '56)
*Siegmeister: Clarinet Concerto (Feb., '57; Radio Premiere)
*Weber: 2nd Clarinet Concerto (Mar., '57)
*Baermann: Adagio for Clarinet and Strings (Apr., '57)
*Tuthill: Clarinet Concerto (Feb., '58; Radio Premiere)
*DeBussy: Premiere Rhapsody (Feb., 58)
*Ward: Suite for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra (Oct., '58; World Premiere)
*Hindemith: Clarinet Concerto (Mar., '59)
*Debussy: Premiere Rhapsody (Jan., '60)
*+Baermann: Adagio for Clarinet and Strings (Apr., '60) (June, '70)
*Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, K.622 (Jan., '61)
*Anderson: Six Pieces for Clarinet Orch. (Mar., '63; World Premiere)
*Weber: 2nd Clarinet Concerto (Mar., '63)
*Klein: Clarinet Concerto (Mar., 63; World Premiere)
*Debussy: Premiere Rhapsody (Jan., '64)
*Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, K.622 (Oct., '64)
*+Norton: Divertimento for Clarinet Orch. (Mar., '65; World Premiere)
+Copland: Concerto for Clarinet, Strings Harp (Feb., '69)
+Weber: 2nd Clarinet Concerto (June, '71)
+Cavallini: Adagio Tarentella (June, '71)
+Rossini: Introduction, Theme and Variations (May '73)
+Weber: 2nd Clarinet Concerto (May '73)
*+Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, K.622 (Jan., '74)
+Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, K.622 (May, '74)
+Weber: 2nd Clarinet Concerto (May '75)
+Weber: 2nd Clarinet Concerto (Jan., '76)
*+Tuthill: Clarinet Concerto (Jan., '77)
+Rossini: Introduction, Theme and Variations (Mar., '78)
*+Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante (Nov., '79)
*+Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, K.622 (Jan., '88)
Martin: Concerto for Seven Winds and Orchestra (UVic Gala Jan., 1998)
Chamber Music and Recital Performances:
+Bartok: Contrasts
+Bartok: Sonatine for Clarinet and Piano
*+Beethoven: Trio, Op.11
+Brahms: Trio, Op.114
*+Brahms: Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet
*+Brahms: Sonata, Op.120, No.1
+Brahms; Sonata, Op.120, No.2
+Carter: Eight Etudes and a Fantasy
+Etler: Quartet
+Ibert: Concertino da Camera for Saxophone and Orchestra
+*Krenek: Suite for Clarinet and Piano
+*Lutoslawski: Dance Preludes
+*Milhaud: Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano
+*Milhaud: Suite for Clarinet, Violin and Piano
+*Mozart: Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet
*+Mozart: Trio for Viola, Clarinet Piano, K.498
+*Poulenc: Sonata for Clarinet Piano
+*Poulenc: Sonata for Two Clarinets
+Rossini: Introduction, Theme Variations
+*Rozsa: Sonatine for Clarinet Solo, Op. 27
+*Schmutz: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano (World Premiere)
+*Schmutz: Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet (World Premiere)
+*Stravinsky: Octet
+Stravinsky: l'Histoire d'un Soldat
+*Stravinsky: Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo
+*Sutermeister: Cappriccio for Clarinet Solo
+*Wanhall: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
*"Live" and taped Radio performances on MBS, VOA, AFRTS, BBC, CBC, RFE and PBS stations.
+These works performed at Oklahoma City, New York, Dallas, Interlochen, Lexington, Detroit, etc., or on USA tours.
