Clarinetist Albert Hunt is a critically acclaimed performer and
prominent teacher now residing in McLean, Virginia. He earned the Doctor
of Musical Arts Degree from
The Juilliard
School, where he was a scholarship student with
Joseph Allard,
David Weber
and
Vincent Abato.
Dr. Hunt also worked with William Blount of the
Orchestra of
St. Luke's and David Niethamer, former Principal Clarinetist
of the Richmond Symphony.
Dr. Hunt performs in solo and chamber music concerts throughout the
United States and abroad. In April 2009, Dr. Hunt journeyed to Quito,
Ecuador and performed Carl Maria von Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in
F minor with the Ecuador Philharmonic.
Diario Hoy, one of
Quito's leading newspapers, stated "Albert Hunt demonstrated refined
phrasing and much versatility....his fingers ran across the instrument
as if it were an extension of his body." He has appeared in the clarinet
sections of the
Cleveland Orchestra,
the Orchestra of St. Luke's, the
New York City Ballet Orchestra,
and the
National Philharmonic Orchestra.
A fan of new music, Dr. Hunt has premiered many works, including several
composed for him.
Dr. Hunt's students from Virginia and Maryland have an impressive record
of success. In addition to earning principal positions in prominent
local youth orchestras such as the
Maryland Classic Youth
Orchestra and the
American Youth Philharmonic
Orchestra, his students have earned principal clarinet
positions in the Virginia and Maryland All-State Bands and Orchestras.
In recent years, more than one third of Montgomery County's All-County
Band has consisted of students from Dr. Hunt's studio. In addition, his
students consistently receive Superior ratings in the Maryland and
Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors' Solo and Ensemble Contest. A
clarinet quintet coached by Dr. Hunt won a place in the quarter final
round of the famed
Fischoff National Chamber Music
Competition in South Bend, Indiana. In addition, Dr. Hunt has
conducted orchestras in Florida, Ohio, Alabama and Maryland and
adjudicated band and solo festivals in several states.
In addition to teaching clarinet and coaching chamber music, Dr. Hunt
has conducted numerous community and youth orchestras including:
Guayaquil (Ecuador) Youth Orchestra, The Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra,
Lorain Civic Orchestra, Prince George's County Youth Orchestra, and the
Independent School Orchestra, and the Birmingham Prelude Strings. Albert
Hunt is a sectional coach with the American Youth Philharmonic and
conducts the Clarinet Choir of the Maryland Classical Youth Orchestras
Association.
Beginning in 2008, Dr. Hunt is the International Coordinator and Artistic Director of Sinfonía por la Vida in Ecuador. The objective of this organization is to provide musical instruments and instruction to young people in Ecuador, especially those who are economically disadvantaged. Sinfonía por la Vida, originated in 2007 and is expanding rapidly in Ecuador. Currently more than 1,000 students are involved in making music.