I met Larry Guy a number of years ago while freelancing around New York. Larry was always a colleague in the truest sense of the word—a team player and positive influence in the section whether playing principal, second or auxiliary clarinet. His sense of elegance in playing and professionalism on the job was gleaned from his years of study with some of the great woodwind/musical minds of the 20th Century—Robert Marcellus, Anthony Gigliotti, Kalmen Opperman, Alan Balter, and Marcel Moyse. Larry is the perpetual student—always interested in finding out more and willing to explore new avenues both for himself and his students. If there’s an important clarinet recital, clinic, masterclass, or conference being offered, expect to see Larry there! In this video, he talks about his career development, the changing world of orchestral auditions, equipment, and the fundamentals of air usage and tonguing. I hope you enjoy this interview with this masterful woodwind artist.
About the Artist: Larry Guy has been an important figure in the clarinet world for over four decades. He has been a member of the Atlanta Symphony, Long Island Philharmonic, the Joffrey Ballet Orchestra, Queens Symphony and Lake George Opera. He has also played with virtually every important New York metropolitan-based orchestra including the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet, New York City Opera, Orpheus, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Brooklyn Philharmonic, and the New Jersey Symphony. In addition, he played numerous Broadway musicals and was a frequent recitalist. In recent years, Larry has devoted himself to elevating the level of clarinet playing through his seven textbooks devoted to clarinet pedagogy and four educational CDs highlighting the playing careers of Daniel Bonade, Ralph McLane, Mitchell Lurie and Rosario Mazzeo. He has presented masterclasses, clinics and lectures throughout the U.S. and was the Chair of Pedagogy for the International Clarinet Association for a number of years. Today, Larry teaches clarinet and chamber music at Vassar College as well as clarinet at the pre-college divisions of The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music.