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Academy Clarinet Quartet The Academy Clarinet Quartet was formed in September of 2002. In addition to performing standard works for clarinet quartet, they have branched out to create their own repertoire from music originally written for string quartet. These arrangements have been masterfully crafted by quartet members Sergeant First Class John Parrette and Staff Sergeant Sam Kaestner. In March of 2006, the quartet released its first compact disc containing string quartets of Beethoven and Bartok. The group has performed for audiences all over the United States and maintains a busy schedule of recitals both on and off of West Point. SERGEANT FIRST CLASS SHAWN HERNDON - CLARINET, is an active recitalist, teacher and clinician. He has appeared as a soloist with the United States Military Academy Concert Band and has given recitals and master classes in the United States and Japan. He is a clarinetist with the Concert Band and member of the Academy Clarinet Quartet. He has premiered works by Paul Harvey and Collage by Hudson Valley composer Robert Baksa for clarinet quartet and band. Recently with the Academy Quartet he performed with Mitchell Estrin, former clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic. A native of Dallas, Texas, he earned a bachelor's degree in clarinet performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and a master's degree, also in performance, from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. His teachers have included Stephen Girko, former principal clarinetist of the Dallas Symphony, and Ron deKant at the University of Cincinnati. He has also performed with Albany Pro Musica and the Albany Symphony. SERGEANT FIRST CLASS JOHN PARRETTE - CLARINET, received his Bachelor of Music degree with honors from the New England Conservatory of Music where he studied with Peter Hadcock. Originally from Kansas City, he began his studies with his father, who also served with the U.S. Military Academy Band. SFC Parrette has been with the Military Academy Band since 1987 and assumed the position of principal clarinetist in 1996. He has made numerous solo appearances with the band, including the 2001 North American premiere of Martin Ellerby’s Clarinet Concerto. He has also performed many of his own arrangements with the band, including Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Sinfonia Concertante. SFC Parrette is a founding member of the Academy Wind Quintet and the Academy Clarinet Quartet. STAFF SERGEANT ERIN BUBALO - CLARINET is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She arrived at West Point in early October of 2004 after completing basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. SSG Bubalo attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music where she received her Bachelor of Music and studied with clarinetist Ron deKant. STAFF SERGEANT SAM KAESTNER - BASS CLARINET, attended the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University where he received instruction from Baltimore Symphony bass clarinetist Edward Palanker and Anthony Gigliotti, former Philadelphia Orchestra principal clarinetist. After his 2000 Peabody graduation with honors, Kaestner went to Northwestern University for graduate work. His Northwestern experience included study with Chicago Symphony bass clarinetist, J. Lawrie Bloom, where he also was a finalist in the graduate concerto competition. In 2002, Kaestner received a masters degree with honors. In addition to his strength as a classical clarinetist, SSG Kaestner also plays jazz. While at Peabody, Kaestner studied jazz with former Miles Davis saxophonist Gary Thomas. SSG Kaestner is a founding member of the Academy Clarinet Quartet and a member of the West Point Woodwind Quintet. He is currently studying with Metropolitan Opera Orchestra bass clarinetist James Ognibene and with John Manasse.
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