ClarinetFest® 2008 will be held on July 2-6 in Kansas City, sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music in cooperation with the International Clarinet Assocation.   Jane Carl is the host and artistic director with assistance from artistic committee members Nophachai Cholthitchanta, University of Arkansas; Tod Kerstetter, Kansas State University; and Stephanie Zelnick, University of Kansas.  ClarinetFest® 2008 will feature a roster of artists from around the country and around the globe.  There will be special emphasis on chamber music, newer clarinet works, lesser known works, and themed concerts.  Tributes will be paid to Fred Ormand and George Silfies. 

Performances will take place at the Conservatory and at Unity Temple on the Country Club Plaza, a short distance from the university.  The Country Club Plaza is a remarkable area full of fountains and sculptures built in the 1920’s based on the architecture of Seville, Spain.  It has an abundance of fine shopping and 30 diverse restaurants to choose from.

Within walking distance from the convention are the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the internationally renowned new Bloch Wing of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and the Toy and Miniature Museum.  There are many of the areas of the city to explore on your visit to Kansas City including the historic 18th. and Vine District which contains both the Kansas City Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Union Station’s Science City and railroad exhibit, the new National World War I Museum, baseball at Kauffman Stadium with the Kansas City Royals, and Kansas City-style barbeque restaurants too numerous to mention.  We hope you’ll join us in Kansas City this July to experience it all!

We will continue to update our site with important information regarding ClarinetFest® 2008, so please check our site regularly.