CSO clarinettist to teach in fall

By Jennifer Shen     11/11/10 6:00pm

The Shepherd School of Music is getting ready to welcome Richard Hawley, currently the principal clarinetist for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO), as the new professor of clarinet in 2011.Dean of the Shepherd School Robert Yekovich said Hawley was selected from three final candidates because of his extensive orchestral experience, knowledge in chamber music and reputation as a teacher.

"It's rare to find someone who has such fine professional performing credentials as well as such fine teaching credentials," Yekovich said.

Yekovich said Hawley was recommended by other professionals in the field and also by a handful of the faculty who had performed with him.

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Like other professors in the Shepherd School, Hawley will be active both as an instructor and a performer, according to Yekovich.

A native of Los Angeles, Hawley started playing clarinet under Yehuda Gilad at the Colburn School of Performing Arts when he was nine. Since making his orchestral solo debut at age 13 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Hawley has performed with many other major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and Philadelphia Orchestra.

Hawley graduated from the Curtis Institute in 1992 and was appointed principal clarinetist of the CSO at age 23 in 1994. In addition to his orchestral achievement, Hawley has also been teaching at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory since 1998. Hawley performs regularly as a chamber musician.

Hawley's wife, Maureen Nelson, was a resident performer at Rice from 2004 to 2006 with her string quartet, the Enso String Quartet.

Michael Webster, the current clarinet professor who will be succeeded by Hawley, said he is looking forward to seeing Nelson again. Webster also thinks Hawley will be a great addition to the Shepherd School.

"I was very impressed with [Hawley] when he came to do his interview here, not only with his excellent playing and teaching but also with his sense of humor," Webster said. "He has a very funny sense of humor, so he's a real easy guy to be around."

McMurtry College freshman Nico Chona played in Hawley's master class when he visited Rice in September. Chona said Hawley was very dedicated to engaging his students and listening to his students' ideas during the class.

"While [Hawley's dedication] seems like the obvious role of a teacher, you'd be surprised at the number of professors that restrict their students and only talk about themselves while 'teaching,'" Chona said.

Clarinet graduate student Erika Cikraji also met Hawley personally during his visit in September.

"I had seen Mr. Hawley perform as principal clarinetist with the Cincinnati Symphony before, and I was impressed," Cikraji said. "My first impression of Mr. Hawley was that he was really friendly and excited to work with students."

Webster, who is stepping down from teaching clarinet next year, will remain active in the Shepherd School. Next year, Webster will only be teaching one graduate level course, instead of the entire clarinet studio, so he will have more time to work on publishing projects, including a textbook about the clarinet for a major publishing company and other transcriptions for clarinet, flute and piano.

Webster said the transition between him and Hawley should not be too hard for the clarinet students.

"The current class has the option that they can continue with me if they want to for as long as they [need to] get their degree, or they can transfer to Mr. Hawley when he comes in," Webster said.

Chona said he intends to transfer to Hawley's studio when he arrives at Rice next year.

"Each teacher has something great to offer, and with every new teacher comes a different perspective and a different approach to performing, and musicians are constantly seeking this diversity," Chona said.

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