David Yandl

Second Clarinet
Website

What are your most important educational and musical moments?
There are too many to name, but studying with Larry Combs of the Chicago Symphony is very special to me. I grew up in a rural part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where live orchestral performances were rare. After years of listening to public radio (which I did voraciously) and browsing mail order instrument catalogs as teenager, Mr. Combs was fixed in my mind as one of the great clarinetists. I was thrilled to study with him as a grad student, and he influenced my playing so much.

Tell us about your family.
I’m the youngest of four children, and we are all very close despite being scattered around the country now. I think we all really value our childhood experiences of small-town life, but none of us live in the U.P. anymore.

Why did you choose music?
I loved music from a very young age, and it’s difficult to remember a time when music wasn’t a huge part of my life. When it came time to choose a career path, I wanted something requiring both intellectual and manual skill, and music gives me that. I also wanted a field where I felt I could make a unique contribution that couldn’t be replicated by anyone else. As an adult, I can see those possibilities in so many other fields too, but I’m very happy I chose music. I get to perform so much of the repertoire I love, and there are still very many pieces I’m excited to play for the first time!

Why did you choose your instrument?
I chose the clarinet at age because my sister, who’s nine years older, played it. I remember being completely fascinated with the clarinet’s sound and the idea of expressing yourself on an instrument. Because I was only six when I first expressed interest, I was given a recorder (which I loved). When I got my first clarinet at age eight, my sister taught me the basics at home. I played it at home for fun, and it was years later (at age 17) when I got formal training on the clarinet. I actually played bassoon in the band all through middle and high school.

What are you currently doing?
I am a freelance musician in Michigan. In addition to orchestral, musical theater, and chamber performances, I’m Head of Winds, Brass, and Percussion at Hope College, where I also teach academic courses in music.

Any non-musical interests or hobbies?
I love the arts in general and try to make time to draw and paint. I also love the outdoors and am fortunate to live very close to the White Pine Trail State Park.