Keith Lemmons has been the Professor of Clarinet and a Presidential Teaching Fellow at The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque since 1984. He combines an international reputation as soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player, with a distinguished teaching career. He has received critical acclaim for his solo and chamber music performances throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and Europe. A review in El Sol de Mexico City described his performance as “a magnificent interpretation. He had the audience in ecstasy.” The Albuquerque Journal states “Lemmons’ recital was a prime example of the series at its very best.” “Lemmons wowed the audience with his flawless technique and expressive tone,” writes The Clarinet Journal. Professor Lemmons previously taught at Moorhead State (MN), Albion College (MI) and Alma College (MI) and during the summers at New England Music Camp in Maine.
Mr. Lemmons has performed at a variety of international and national music festivals including the prestigious 2003, 2000, 1997, 1990 and 1989 International Clarinet Festivals, the 2002 College Music Society national convention as a member of the New Mexico Winds, the 2000 Brazilian Clarinet Conference, the 2000 University of Wisconsin-Madison Clarinet Celebration, the acclaimed 2003, 1996, 1991 and 1987 University of Oklahoma Clarinet Symposiums, the 2003 and 1998 International Double Reed Society Conferences as a member of Trio New Mexico and the New Mexico Winds, the 2004, 2002, 2000 and 1998 Michigan Contemporary Clarinet Festival, the 2004 Texas Tech University Clarinet Symposium, the Montana/Idaho Clarinet Symposium, the Northern Plains Symposium and the Montevallo Symposium. He has performed as principal clarinet with the International Music in the Mountains Music Festival in Colorado and as a member of the renowned Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. He has also performed as principal with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the Missoula Symphony, Santa Fe Festival Ballet Orchestra, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, Santa Fe Symphony, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, New Southwest Festival Orchestra, Festival Orchestra of the Americas, Albuquerque Civic Light Opera Orchestra, Albuquerque Chamber Music Soloists and as a guest artist with Albuquerque Philharmonic, Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra, Albuquerque Concert Band, UNM Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra. He performs with the UNM faculty Trio New Mexico and New Mexico Winds, the Taos Chamber Music Group, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival Outreach Program, Serenata of Santa Fe, Los Alamos Fuller Lodge Ensemble, Verdehr Clarinet Quartet and the Ay! Clarumba Clarinet Quartet. He has performed at many universities and on numerous chamber music series including the Santa Fe Concert Association Bechstein Recital Series, the Placitas, Taos, Corrales and Los Alamos music series and with the Helios String Quartet.
Mr. Lemmons has received numerous USIA grants to teach and perform at the Universidad Autonoma Mexico—Mexico City and Universidad de las Americas—Puebla, the 2000 UNM Presidential Teaching Fellow Award, the 2000 Pittsburg State University Alumni of the Year Award, 1999 UNM Teacher of the Year Award and the 1987 UNM/Burlington Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award. He is head of the woodwind area at UNM, Music Undergraduate Advisor at UNM, a woodwind consultant for the Music Teachers National Association, state representative for the International Clarinet Association and has been president for the Southwest chapters of the College Music Society and the National Association of College Wind and Percussion. He has also reviewed music and recordings for the Clarinet Journal and the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors Journal.
Former students are at major music conservatories, perform in numerous symphony orchestras and military service bands and teach at the university and public school levels throughout the U.S. He received his BME degree at Pittsburg State University (KS) under pedagogue Robert Schott, the MM degree in Clarinet Performance/Woodwind Specialist and substantial DMA work at Michigan State University under renowned Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr. Other clarinet teachers include Larry Combs (principal-Chicago Symphony), Charles Neidich (Professor-Juilliard School of Music), Robert Crowley (principal-Montreal Symphony), Thea King (principal-English Chamber Orchestra), Gabor Reeves (professor-New South Wales Conservatory, Australia) and Herb Blayman (principal-Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, NY, NY), John McCaw (Professor-Royal College of Music, England)), Peter Reickoff (Professor-Berlin Hochscule), Jim Forger (Professor of Saxophone-Michigan State University) and Russell Freidewald (Professor of Flute-Michigan State University).
Reviews:
“Lemmons wowed the audience with his flawless technique and expressive tone.” - The Clarinet Society Journal
… including sensitively shaped solos from clarinetist Keith Lemmons.” - The Albuquerque Journal
“Keith Lemmons gave an informative clinic in which he discussed fundamentals of clarinet playing which gave insightful and useful information to the clarinetists.” - The Clarinet Society Journal
“Soloist Keith Lemmons Played with golden tone and bubbling fingerwork.” - Durango/Purgatory Herald
“Keith Lemmons performed an exciting rendition of Joan Tower’s Fantasy for Clarinet and piano…” - The Clarinet Society Journal
“A magnificent interpretation. Had the listeners in ecstasy.” - El Sol de Tehuacan, Mexico
“Lemmons performance was delightful, intriguing… and displayed fine technique.” - The Clarinet Society Journal, Feb/March 1997
“Lemmons Clarinet Recital marvelous, at times amazing.” - Albuquerque Journal
“He played with flexible, dramatic flair that maximized lyricism and rhythmic swing…” - Albuquerque Journal
“…it was full showy opportunities for Lemmons, who is not the kind of player that misses these.” - Albuquerque Journal
“Lemmons played with marvelous, lyrical breath. He was suave and capable.” - Albuquerque Journal
“His rich and resonant tone was sensitively utilized in this substantial piece…” - Mario Castenuovo, Tedesco’s Sonata, Op. 128, The Clarinet Society Journal, Nov/Dec 1990
“Lemmons’ recital was a prime example of the series at its best.” - Albuquerque Journal
“The program resembles some of the venturesome evenings at the Santa Fe Music Chamber Festival and Thursday’s concert was played at or near that Festival’s level.” - Albuquerque Journal
Recordings
|
