Mitchell S Estrin, M.M.

Professor of Music

College of the Arts

2018 Awardee

Mitchell Estrin is a leading specialist in clarinet performance and research. He has an extensive performance history as a clarinetist with the New York Philharmonic. Estrin was recently elected President of the International Clarinet Association (ICA), the world’s premier professional society of clarinet performers, educators, researchers and enthusiasts.

“I am passionate about music, the clarinet and history,” Estrin said. “My research combines these three passions and allows me to research and contribute to the field that has given so much to me throughout my career.”

Estrin’s creative work as clarinet choir conductor and researcher spans both the University of Florida and the ICA, as he works as the music director and conductor for the UF Clarinet Ensemble as well as the ICA ClarinetFest Clarinet Choir. In February 2018, he conducted and recorded a full-length CD of commissioned works performed by a quartet of internationally renowned clarinet soloists for Mark Masters.

His creative and professional responsibilities include overseeing all governance and fiscal matters of the ICA; coordinating five annual international competitions; supervising the editorial staff for the quarterly refereed journal (The Clarinet); managing personnel, presiding at board meetings and conferences; and supervising the artistic planning and logistical aspects for the annual ClarinetFest, the world’s largest conference for clarinetists.

“I hope my work with clarinet choirs continues to contribute to the resurgence of the clarinet choir medium,” Estrin said. “By commissioning, performing, and recording a broad range of repertoire, my work will reach clarinetists and clarinet enthusiasts around the world.”

Estrin has published a biography, Stanley Drucker – Clarinet Master, chronicling the historical musical career of Stanley Drucker, who holds the Guinness Book of Records distinction for the longest career as a clarinetist. Drucker, who holds an honorary doctorate in music from UF, was the principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic for 49 years.

Estrin is the first to document Drucker’s life, musical collaborations and personal interactions with other leading musical figures of the 20th century. A Pulitzer Prize winning composer, John Corigliano, has written the foreword for the book.

Other ongoing research activities of Estrin’s include the authoring of bi-weekly articles for publication in the Vandoren WAVE. During the past three years, he has written more than 70 articles for the publication. He also serves as an education and product consultant for Vandoren/Dansr. Inc.