By Jake Weber

 
ALBION, Mich. — Audiences and students will enjoy a unique performance at Albion College as clarinetist and composer Christian Ellenwood features his own music as well as his take on others’ in a recital on Sunday, March 23 at 8 p.m. in the Albion College Goodrich Chapel.

Ellenwood revels in every aspect that music has to offer, whether performance, private study or teaching others. He currently holds the positions of associate professor of clarinet and clarinet choir director for the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. He has also received the Roseman Award, UW-W’s highest honor for excellence in teaching, in 2002. Ellenwood has presented many recitals throughout the United States and Pacific Islands of Japan, Guam and Hawaii.

David Abbott, associate professor of piano at Albion College states, “I taught him when he was a student in chamber music and he had so much promise. He is a fantastic clarinetist, and an even greater achievement is his composition work.” Ellenwood has written many pieces, some of which will be included on his Albion program. Audiences get the chance to hear original music in the style of the Romantic and the tonal style of Brahms or Schumann, as well as selections by Brahms, Mozart and others.

Albion students are fortunate to have visiting artists like Ellenwood, who plays a less-common recital instrument. “We are becoming more varied with what we are doing in student instruction and we need guest artists to motivate those students who don’t get as much of a chance to see people play in their specialties," Abbott concluded. "Ellenwood is one of those who will definitely help to nudge students in the right direction.”

This performance is free and open to the public. For a schedule of upcoming concerts visit our website at www.albion.edu/music or contact the Albion College Music department at 517/629-0481 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it