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CCF is "on sabbatical" for 2018! email us for news of 2019 program.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the CCF?

The Claremont Clarinet Festival is an intimate performance workshop which culminates in three public concerts. The workshop is intended to help advanced clarinetists realize their performance goals, while the performances help enrich the summer concert life of a sophisticated California college town.

Since 2006, we've been providing a concert and study forum for both young superstars and mature players, who frequently come with personal goals like these:

prep repertoire toward an undergrad or graduate degree recital
learn a challenging new work
work in depth with an outstanding collaborative pianist
prep for an upcoming concerto gig
get a technical "check-up"
perform as soloist again after many years of freelancing or teaching
learn/share new ideas about pedagogy
network with other clarinetists
find ways of working through physical obstacles in playing
gain confidence
and many others...

What will be your goal?
You're invited to join and explore the customized possibilities of this intimate and intensive performance week!

Are there recitals by the faculty?

Not usually! CCF is a festival about the participants, who are the primary performers in all the musical events! The faculty are here primarily to help you play and perform your best.

What happens at the Festival?

You will be playing several hours a day at CCF, in addition to your private practice time, doing several different things:

rehearse daily with a superb professional collaborative pianist
perform in the daily repertoire masterclass
work one-on-one in two private lessons with festival clarinet coaches
appear as a soloist in two public recitals
play in a guest masterclass with 2017 guest artists (TBA), OR
take a half hour private lesson with a guest artist
support your colleagues with valuable audience feedback
participate in an introduction to Alexander Technique for clarinetists taught by Frances Marsden
rehearse and perform an evening of new works with a high-quality clarinet ensemble
make new friends!

What does it cost?

Tuition for 2017 is $975 cash price ( $1004,43 paypal price, including paypal surcharge.)
Room and Board on campus for the week (optional for commuters) is $520 cash price

($534.84 paypal price, including paypal surcharge.)

How can I apply?

Fill out the 2017 application form online (or print and mail) with your $50 deposit
Next, send us a sound or video link, mp3, CD or DVD of YOUR OWN solo or chamber recorded playing.

It's helpful, but not necessary, if at least one piece of your proposed repertoire is included.

What repertoire should I bring?

Bring one or two works that you are prepared to perform. One piece should be from the clarinet and piano repertoire and a second piece should be from the clarinet alone repertoire; together they should TOTAL around 15 to 18 minutes.
If you pick a four movement Sonata, we will divide that work between two recitals (examples: Muczynski, St. Saens, Brahms, Reger, Hindemith)
If in doubt, call us.

List of works performed 2006-2014
We welcome new music!

Do you have scholarships?

CCF does modest fundraising to provide one or two partial scholarships, in the form of tuition reduction, on the basis of need and merit.
This scholarship is usually prioritized for a current college student who might otherwise not be able to attend the program.

Where is Claremont, California?

Claremont is a green and leafy suburb of the big city, a delightful small town on the eastern side of Los Angeles county that is home to Pomona College. The nearby San Bernardino mountains, including Mount Baldy, form a spectacular backdrop on the horizon.

Pomona College is part of The Claremont Colleges, a historic private college consortium which includes Scripps, Harvey Mudd, and Claremont Graduate School, grouped within walking distance of each other in a park-like greenbelt. The picturesque village area has many restaurants and boutique shops within a three-block stroll from Pomona College. Light rail from the Claremont train station, also located in the village, can take you to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles in less than an hour.

Can I bring my car?

Yes. There is free parking for your car in a campus structure.

What is the weather like? Is Southern California hot in June?

In mid June, weather is mild and pleasant in Claremont, not humid, and surprisingly, often overcast or cloudy. While all our facilities are air conditioned, you will enjoy pleasant shady walks around the campus, and access to the pool.

If you want to vacation in southern California for a few days after the festival, many tourist favorites are within an easy drive: Disneyland, Venice Beach, Disney Hall, Huntington Gardens, Norton Simon Art Museum, Universal Studios, etc.

What is the closest airport?

The closest airport is ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL (CA), which is less than a 10 minute taxi ride from campus. It has direct flights from some western regional airports as well as connections through LAX (LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL). If you fly into LAX your can take a supershuttle to Claremont which offers special rates to Pomona College visitors. Be aware this shuttle will take more than an hour depending on time of day and freeway traffic.

What are the dorms like?

If you choose to stay on campus, you will have a private room with shared bathrooms in Mudd-Blaisdell Hall, one of the original dormitories from the 1920's Spanish revival architecture on campus. Blaisdell has air conditioning, but no elevator. You will be on a floor with other participants from our program. Single-sex and gender neutral bathrooms are available in Blaisdell. Please indicate on your application if you need ground floor or ADA compliant accommodation.

Is vegan food available?

Pomona's cafeteria style food service includes good vegan and vegetarian entree options at every meal, using fresh fruit and vegetables and plant-based proteins. In addition, there is always a salad bar for lunch or dinner. Food service is responsive to most special requests.

What should I bring?

Bring summer casual clothing and concert attire. We suggest you bring both shorts and long pants, comfortable shoes or sandals, short sleeves and a light jacket or long-sleeved shirt, just in case the weather changes. Concerts are business casual: full length dress slacks and shirt, or alternately, a short or long dress or skirt for women. Concert black is also appropriate.

Other options to pack: personal meds and toiletries, a swimsuit if you intend to use the pool, a bathrobe, your music, reeds, reed tools or gadgets. A folding music stand is useful if you intend to practice in your room, otherwise we have plenty in the music center. Don't forget your clarinets! Campus rooms provide one set of sheets and towels, pillow and blanket. If you are driving, you may wish to bring an additional towel set or other personal items for your dorm room.