Benjamin Fingland, clarinet

With performances capturing "spiritedness and humor", "unflagging precision and energy" (The New York Times) and playing described as "something magical" (The Boston Globe), Benjamin Fingland interprets many styles of music on a variety of clarinets. An avid proponent of new music, he has premiered numerous works in recital at such New York City institutions as Merkin Concert Hall and the Museum of Modern Art, and internationally at Japan's Kyoto Music Festival and festivals in the Ukraine, Russia and South America. In addition to being a founding member of the critically-acclaimed new music collective counter)induction, he plays frequently with the landmark contemporary music group Continuum, and has also performed with Ensemble 21, The Locrian Chamber Players, the Argento Chamber Ensemble, the American Modern Ensemble and Sequitur. He has collaborated, recorded, and toured with a wide array of contemporary artists – ranging in scope from Pierre Boulez and the Ensemble Intercontemporain to jazz legend Ornette Coleman and pop icon Sir Elton John. Mr. Fingland is a former principal clarinetist of both the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and the Prometheus Chamber Orchestra in Manhattan. He is also a founding member of Piaclava - a touring clarinet, viola, and piano trio dedicated to educational outreach. He holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School, and currently serves on the faculties of the Third Street Music School Settlement and the Children's Orchestra Society in New York.