Alexander Paley Music Festival
· Festival Musicians: Charles West ·
Charles West is an orchestral, chamber and solo clarinetist, and a conductor, performing throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia. His recorded repertoire ranges from standard sonatas to avant-garde, on labels including Klavier, Wilson Audiophile, Centaur, CRI, Crystal, and on a 1993 Grammy Award-winning Telarc CD.
Mr. West holds a Doctorate and three other university degrees, has been a Fulbright Scholar, and he has been President of the International Clarinet Association. His career has included nearly thirty years as Principal Clarinetist in six different professional orchestras and opera companies, and he has held teaching positions in three North American universities, with guest professorships in South America, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the People's Republic of China.
Mr. West has been Conductor of Orchestras and opera conductor at Virginia Commonwealth University, and has served as conductor or adjudicator of bands and orchestras throughout the U.S. During his seven-year tenure as Conductor of the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, the orchestra became recognized regionally for the standard of excellence that it set.
Mr. West is presently Professor of Music and Coordinator of Winds and Percussion at VCU, conductor of the Youth Orchestra of Charlottesville-Albemarle, and artist-clinician for the Buffet Crampon Corporation.
Dr. West’s book, The Woodwind Player’s Cookbook: Creative Recipes for a Successful Performance,; was published in 2008 by Meredith Music Publications.