Band students take part in Clarinet Day

The rooms of John M. Long Hall were filled with the steady repetition of scales and overlapping melodies as clarinetists moved between classrooms last Saturday during Troy’s annual Clarinet Day. From smaller clarinets to larger bass clarinets, high school students were able to learn from seasoned musicians whose individual paths all started with the clarinet. 

For Dr. Timothy Phillips, professor of clarinet at Troy and coordinator of the event, Clarinet Day serves a larger purpose beyond a single day of performances and instruction.

Phillips explained that the event was designed to give students opportunities to grow through shared learning and direct interaction with experienced musicians. 

“This is our 19th year of having Troy University Clarinet Day, and it's an opportunity for high school and college students to come together for recitals, master classes and to perform in a large clarinet choir at the end of the day,” Phillips said. 

Throughout the day, visiting musicians led master classes and shared their personal experiences with students still developing their skills. One such session was led by Michael Rowlett, a clarinet instructor at the University of Mississippi, who focused on how musicians learn through collaboration and reflection.  

Drawing from his own professional experiences, Rowlett encouraged students to think critically about their practice habits and how their individual growth contributes to the success of an ensemble. 

“Music is my passion. I love the connection it creates between performer and audience, and by teaching music, I get to share that important art form with others,” Rowlett said. 

Rowlett's session gave students the opportunity to hear how years of experience shape teaching methods and influence the way musicians guide others who are still learning. His discussion challenged students to think about their long-term goals and recognize how consistent practice and collaboration contribute to musical success. 

Eric Mandat, a visiting professor of music and distinguished scholar at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, brought an expressive and reflective perspective to Clarinet Day. Known for his contributions to clarinet performance, Mandat emphasized how music allows performers to communicate ideas and emotions that extend beyond spoken language.  

His session encouraged students to think about the personal meaning behind the sounds they create. 

“Music is a special art because it's intangible,” Mandat said. “Wind music comes directly from inside of us, and we can express ourselves in ways that go beyond words.” 

Throughout the day, vendors lined the halls with clarinet accessories, while ensemble performances echoed through classrooms as students practiced together. The sounds of repeated scales and shared melodies created an environment centered on growth and collaboration. 

By the end of Clarinet Day, Long Hall had transformed into more than just a practice space.

Through purposeful instruction, shared experience and expressive performance, students were given the opportunity to not only improve their skills, but to better understand the role music plays in communication, learning and artistic expression.  

For more information on future events, visit Troy University’s School of Music website.