Charlotte Clarinetist Finalist in International Music Competitions

24 y/o Virtuoso Clarinetist Bryan A. Crumpler of Charlotte, NC has been recently named a finalist and semi-finalist in International Young Artists Competitions in New York, Texas, and Boston. He will travel the end of March and throughout April to compete for over $25,000 in cash prizes and concert appearances with symphonies across the country against some of the best young classical musicians in the world. Classical music supporters encouraged to make donations to help defray travel costs.

CHARLOTTE, NC (PRWEB) March 23, 2004 --For many musicians, making the transition from starving artist to "star" artist is a long, arduous, and seemingly impossible task - even moreso for anyone pursuing a career in the classical genre. One Charlotte clarinetist, however, is breaking through, determined to become the next marquee name for clarinetists and connoiseurs of classical music throughout the world.

24-year old Clarinetist Bryan A. Crumpler of Charlotte, NC has been hackin' away at Clarinet for barely 12.5 years and has steadily been making his mark in the classical music industry as a solo artist since the age of 14, just two years after beginning his instrument.

A decade later, Crumpler continues to make his mark, as he was recently named a finalist in the New Amsterdam Symphony's Young Artist Competition in New York City as well as a semi-finalist in the Kingsville International Young Performers Competition in Kingsville/Corpus Christi, Texas and the Philharmonic Society of Arlington's Young Artist Competition near Boston, MA. Invitations to compete in live semi-final and final rounds for these competitions are based on a taped audition of 30-45 minutes of live, unedited performances, resume/biography, and press clippings from previous performances. He will travel to New York City, Texas, and Boston the end of March and throughout April to compete for over $25,000 in cash prizes and concert appearances with symphonies across the country against some of the best young classical musicians in the world.

Crumpler is also a pending semi-finalist for the Contemporary Record Society's National Performer's Competition and the Ima Hogg National Young Artist Competition sponsored by the Houston Symphony Orchestra in May.

Classical music supporters are encouraged to make donations to help defray travel costs for getting to these auditions. Donations of $25 or more will receive a free complimentary CD of Bryan's debut album upon release. Information about how to make donations can be found at www.whosthatguy.com

BIOGRAPHY:
Shadowed in the eyes of not one... not two... but three NFL football players in his family, 24-year old virtuoso clarinetist Bryan A. Crumpler of Charlotte, NC is creeping his way through the crowds to steal the eyes away from the field and direct them to the stage.

An alumni Morehead Scholar and graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he has performed to critical acclaim throughout the United States, England, France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. He is also a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, one of the premiere music fraternities in the country, and has appeared as a soloist and performer with many community and university ensembles local to the state of North Carolina. Crumpler's performances have earned him rave reviews from critics of the Music Critics Association of North America, Raleigh News & Observer, Classical USA, Spectator Magazine, Classical Voice North Carolina, and Fanfare as well as the esteemed recognition of virtuoso artists such as Andrew Marriner (son of Sir. Neville Marriner & Principal Clarinetist of the London Symphony Orchestra) and world renowned virtuoso Charles Neidich of the Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music.

His honors include: 3rd Place & Stage Deportment, International Sorantin Award Young Artists Competition ('03); 1st place winds/overall top 6 semi-finalist, East West Artists International Competition ('03); 3rd prize, William C. Byrd International Young Artists Competition ('01); 1st prize, Benjamin Kilgore Gibbs Concerto Competition ('00); 1st Prize, UNCSO Concerto Competition ('99-'00); 1st Prize, Richard R. Deas Concerto Competition ('94-'95); Sinfonia Foundations Most Outstanding Musician Award ('95); USMC President's Own Most Outstanding Musician Award ('97); 16 NCBMA Medals for County/District/State Honors Bands & State Honors Orchestras ('92-'97) - 1st chair 4 consecutive years ('94-'97).

Crumpler has studied Clarinet throughout the United States and Europe under the tutelage of Professor Donald L. Oehler and Dr. Michael Votta at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and with distinguished artists Andrew Marriner (London Symphony Orchestra); David Campbell (Canterbury Christ Church College of England); and Freddy Arteel (Royal Conservatory of Ghent). Other artists include Jimmy Gilmore (NC Symphony), Dr. Nathan Williams (East Carolina University/Interlochen Arts Academy), and Todd Palmer (Internationally renowned YCA artist).

Bryan is the son of Gertha W. Crumpler of Charlotte, NC and Carlester Crumpler of Greenville, NC.

FUTURE PERFORMANCES:

April 8, 2004, 8:00pm
Rowe Recital Hall, Charlotte, NC
Ritmo Jondo for Clar, Tpt, & Percussion, C. Surinach
Featured Artist with members of the Charlotte Symphony & the UNCC Percussion Ensemble

April 30, 2004, 8:00pm
Spirit Square, Charlotte, NC
Ritmo Jondo for Clar, Tpt, & Percussion, C. Surinach
Featured Artist with members of the Charlotte Symphony & the UNCC Percussion Ensemble

November 1-5, 2004
Artist Residency, Wilmington, NC
New Hanover County Schools/Wilmington Symphony Orchestra

November 6th, 2004, 8:00pm
Kenan Auditorium, Wilmington, NC
Concerto for Clarinet & Strings, G. Finzi
Wilmington Symphony Orchestra

CONTACT INFO:

Bryan A. Crumpler
pr@whosthatguy.com
http://www.whosthatguy.com

New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra:
http://www.nasorch.org

Kingsville Music Clubs:
http://www.kingsvillemusic.com

Philharmonic Society of Arlington:
http://www.psarlington.org

Contemporary Record Society:
http://www.erols.com/crsnews

Houston Symphony Orchestra League:
http://www.houstonsymphony.org

PRESS PHOTO:
Available for download in the Press Kit at www.whosthatguy.com