School of Music

Clarinet Congress

Saturday, April 25, 2026

 

Join us on Saturday, April 25, 2026, for Tennessee Tech’s biennial Clarinet Congress featuring jazz clarinetist, Dr. Doreen Ketchens, as our guest artist. The day will include high school and college masterclasses and improvisation sessions with Dr. Ketchens, a warmup class with our host, Dr. Mark J. Cramer, a clarinet choir reading session, a repair/maintenance class by Jonathan Copeland, and a recital featuring our guest artist and the TN Tech Clarinet Studio. Participating vendors include Giant Steps Music Corporation, Backun Musical Services, Rovner Products, Vandoren, Légère Reeds, LTD., D’Addario, Clarinets by Copeland, and more. The event will be hosted in the Bryan Fine Arts Building at Tennessee Tech University, located at 1150 N. Dixie Ave., Cookeville, TN.

The registration fee is $25 and paid in person when you first arrive.
This covers the entire day of activities and lunch. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Dr. Mark J. Cramer at mcramer@tntech.edu.  All ages and abilities are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there!

To learn more about Dr. Mark J. Cramer, visit www.markjcramer.com  

 

Event Schedule

9:30–10:00 – Opening Concert
Performance including Doreen Ketchens, Mark J. Cramer, and the TN Tech Clarinet Studio, featuring a short showcase of different clarinet styles.
10:00–10:45 – Warm-Up & Fundamentals Class with Mark J. Cramer
Interactive tone work, quick diagnostics, and live “before/after” demonstrations.
10:45–12:00 – Improvisation Masterclass with Doreen Ketchens
Call-and-response exercises, learning a blues scale, and a short student jam session.
12:00–1:00 – Lunch & Clarinet Meet-Up
Networking, instrument “petting zoo” (Eb, bass clarinet, etc.), and optional short lightning talks on practice tips and auditions.
1:00–1:45 – Clarinet Repair / Triage with Jonathan Copeland
Live repair demonstrations and quick maintenance tips. Participants may bring instruments for a check-up.
1:45–3:15 – Vendor Trials & Innovation Lab
Try instruments, mouthpieces, and reeds; experiment with extended techniques; and explore practice tools, vendor demonstrations.
3:15–4:00 – Clarinet Choir Reading Session
Large ensemble reading session including fun repertoire and optional student conducting.
4:00–4:30 – Artist Q&A Panel
Discussion with Doreen Ketchens, Mark J. Cramer, and Jonathan Copeland on careers, auditions, and performance tips.

• Registration 
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  Full Name*

  Valdi HOME Email (due to filters and firewalls on school emails, Please use home email address)*

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  Instrument you will play for the mass choir (please choose one)* Please Select Bb Clarinet Alto Clarinet Bass Clarinet Eb Clarinet Other Instrument

  If you chose "Other Instrument" above, please indicate your instrument here:

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  School (Please select as many as are appropriate):* Please Select Middle School student High School student College Student Private Teacher Band Director Professional Clarinetist/College Professor Adult Clarinetist Other

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