Band

Richard Clary

Richard Clary is Professor of Music, Senior Band Conductor, and Director of Wind Ensemble Studies at The Florida State University. His primary duties include serving as Music Director and Conductor for the University Wind Orchestra and Chamber Winds, the teaching of graduate-level conducting and wind literature courses, and the guidance of FSU’s Master of Music degree program in Wind Band Conducting as well as the Wind Band Conducting Major emphasis in the Ph.D. program in Music Education.

Prior to his 2003 appointment at FSU, Prof. Clary served ten years as Director of Bands at the University of Kentucky. During his tenure in Lexington, the UK Wind Ensemble earned a national reputation for excellence through several acclaimed performances for prestigious musical events, including the 1997 and 2003 National Conferences of the College Band Directors National Association. Most recently, he conducted the FSU Wind Orchestra in the finale concert of the 2007 CBDNA National Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Prior to his appointment at UK, Prof. Clary served as a member of the music faculties of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, the University of Arizona in Tucson, and Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe, Arizona. In each environment, ensembles under his direction have received consistent and enthusiastic praise from composers, fellow conductors, and audiences for their high levels of musical expression, clarity of texture, and authoritative command over a broad range of musical styles.

An active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Prof. Clary has served in these capacities throughout the United States and Canada, and in seven countries of Western Europe. In addition to his various band-related activities, he has also enjoyed successful engagements as guest conductor with professional ensembles including the Lexington Philharmonic (KY), the Renton Civic Theater (WA), and the Wichita Falls (TX) symphony orchestras.

He holds active memberships in the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), and in March, 2000 he was honored by election to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association (ABA). He has served as President of the SEC Band Directors Association, and founding Chairman of the SECBDA Commissioning Consortium, the past Chairman of the CBDNA National Commissioning Panel, and currently serves as Chairman of the CBDNA Young Band Composers Contest. He also serves as President-elect of the Southern Division of CBDNA, and will serve as that organization’s Divisional President in 2011-2012.

Prof. Clary holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Music Education from the Arizona State University School of Music, and has completed course work for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting at the University of Washington in Seattle. His principal conducting teachers have been Richard Strange, Tim Salzman, and Peter Erös.

• "Homage to Perotin from 'Medieval Suite'"  -Ron Nelson
• "Ave Maria"  -Franz Biebl/Cameron
• "Carmina Burana"  -Orff/Krance