KEITH LEMMONS serves as a Presidential Teaching Fellow, Professor of Clarinet and Music Undergraduate Advisor at The University of New Mexico. At UNM since 1984 he has been chosen as the UNM Teacher of the Year and has been enthusiastically acclaimed by critics and audiences alike for his performances in orchestra, chamber music and solo recital appearances. He has appeared at prestigious music and clarinet festivals, symposiums and universities in Sweden, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and throughout the United States. El Sol de Mexico City described his performance “as a magnificent interpretation. He had the audience in sheer ecstasy”. The Albuquerque Journal states “Lemmons’ recital was a prime example of the series at its very best”. “He wowed the audience with his flawless technique and expressive tone,” writes The Clarinet Journal. He previously taught at Minnesota State University; Albion College; Alma College; Universidad de Las Américas-Puebla, Mexico; Universidad Nacional Autónoma-Mexico City and during the summers at the New England Music Camp in Maine.
Mr. Lemmons regularly performs with the New Mexico Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival Outreach Program. He is principal clarinet with Santa Fe Pro Musica, the Taos Chamber Music Group, Los Alamos Fuller Lodge Ensemble, Serenata of Santa Fe and the Ay! Clarumba Clarinet Quartet. He is a founding member of Trio New Mexico, the New Mexico Winds Woodwind Quintet, and Trio ClariVoce, all artist faculty Ensembles-in-Residence at UNM. Recently he was an invited guest artist at the 2008 International ClarinetFest in Kansas City and also was a judge for the 2007 International ClarinetFest Young Artist Competition in Vancouver, BC. Lemmons has performed at many international and national music festivals including the International ClarinetFest in 2006 (Atlanta), 2003 (Salt Lake City), 2002 (Stockholm), 2000 (Oklahoma), 1997 (Texas), 1990 ((Quebec City), and 1989 (Minneapolis); 2005, 2003, 1996, 1991 and 1987 renowned University of Oklahoma Clarinet Symposiums; the 2007, 2004, 2002, 2000 and 1998 Michigan Contemporary Clarinet Festivals; 2002 College Music Society National Conferences; 2000 Brazilian Clarinet Festival; 2004 and 1998 International Double Reed Society Conferences; and 2007 National Flute Association Convention. He has also performed as principal clarinet with the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra in Colorado, Missoula Symphony, Santa Fe Festival Ballet, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, New Southwest Festival Orchestra and as guest artist with the Albuquerque Philharmonic, Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra, Albuquerque Concert Band, UNM Symphony Orchestra, UNM Jazz Band, UNM Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, the Helios String Quartet, Santa Fe Concert Association, Corrales Series, Placitas series, Los Alamos series and as a member of the Santa Opera Orchestra. He has also been a recipient of numerous USIA grants to perform throughout Mexico and teach at the Universidad de las Américas-Puebla and at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma-Mexico City.
Professor Lemmons is the state chair for the International Clarinet Association and has been President for the southwest chapter of the College Music Society and also for the southwest chapter of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors. He has been the woodwind consultant for the Music Teachers National Association, written recording reviews for the Clarinet Journal and NACWPI Journal and articles for the New Mexico Musician
The reputation of the UNM clarinet studio is renowned for its large size and high quality, with students attending from across the U.S, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. His many graduates are teaching at numerous universities and colleges, in public schools and performing in symphony orchestras and military bands throughout the U. S. and attending major music schools and conservatories. His degrees are from Pittsburg State University (KS) where he was chosen in 2000 as an Outstanding Alumni and studied under pedagogue Robert Schott and the Michigan State University College of Music under renowned Dr. Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr. He has also studied extensively with Larry Combs (principal clarinet-Chicago Symphony), Charles Neidich (Professor-Julliard School), Dame Thea King (principal clarinet-English Chamber Orchestra), John McCaw (principal clarinet-London Symphony), Gabor Reeves (Professor-New South Wales Conservatory, Australia), Herb Blayman (principal clarinet-Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, NY City), Robert Crowley (principal clarinet-Montreal Symphony), Peter Reickoff (Professor-Berlin Hochschule), Jim Forger (Dean and Professor of Saxophone-Michigan State University) and Russell Freidewald (Professor of Flute-Michigan State University). His recordings are found on the Centaur, Summit, albuZERXque, Katson Productions, Taos Chamber Music Group and The University of New Mexico labels. He is also the proud father of Justin and Megan Lemmons.
