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Eric Mandat

Eric Mandat, Professor, Distinguished Scholar

Music

Clarinetist and composer Eric Mandat is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to contemporary clarinet music.

The Chicago Reader states, "Mandat is exploring new worlds...with a unique combination of virtuosity and a creative use of multiphonics...he uses them to create highly personal and expressive compositions that...are loaded with musical meaning." The Village Voice notes the "suave physicality" of his presence as a performer, and finds his style to be "riveting.”

Eric Mandat Office: Altgeld 214
Phone: 618-453-5828
Email: emandat@siu.edu

Mandat tours world-wide as a soloist and chamber musician, presenting lectures and recitals featuring new American clarinet music as well as traditional repertoire. He has premiered his works at international conferences in Chicago, Stockholm, Tokyo, Vancouver, and Porto, and has appeared as soloist with the Latvian National Chamber Orchestra, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. Mandat is a member of the Chicago Symphony's MusicNOW ensemble, which recently performed works by Elliott Carter and Bruno Mantovani under the direction of Maestro Pierre Boulez. He also performs with The Transatlantic Trio, which has concertized in the United States and Europe. Of the group’s recording of trios by Brahms and d'Indy, Fanfare states they "easily rank with the best available recording. Highly recommended!"

Mandat is also a member of Tone Road Ramblers, an eclectic sextet specializing in improvisation and experimental music. They perform at such venues as Merkin Hall in New York and new music festivals nationwide, and are presented by such organizations as the World Music Institute. Their CD, Intersections & Detours, is described by Option magazine as "filled with wit, joy and creative sparkle." Their latest CD, Dancing With the Ramblers features Mandat’s Dark Energy, together with extended works by Morgan Powell and John Fonville.

As a composer, Mandat focuses primarily on solo and chamber works for clarinet. His compositions utilize extended techniques within a framework largely influenced by jazz and traditional music of non-Western cultures. The Clarinet finds that his " process at writing and playing is bound to leave any listener in awe... (One) is constantly challenged and surprised by gorgeous tone color changes, exciting rhythmic action and 21st century clarinetistry." Of his latest CD of his compositions for clarinet, Black Swirls, The Clarinet raves, “Mandat provides tremendous musical interest with his impressive display of tonal colors, dynamic control…rhythmic variety and groove, and imaginative playing.” Mandat is a recipient of the 2000, 2005, and 2009 Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship Awards for composition. His music is featured in concerts and recordings by clarinetists throughout the world.

Mandat received his education at the University of North Texas (B.M.), the Yale School of Music (M.M.), and the Eastman School of Music (D.M.A.). His principal teachers included Richard Joiner, Lee Gibson, Keith Wilson, Stanley Hasty, and Charles Neidich. He is Professor of Music and Distinguished Scholar at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he teaches clarinet and graduate courses in musical analysis.

Eric Mandat is a Buffet-Crampon USA performing artist and clinician. He is also very involved with the SIU Clarinet Studio and Clarinet Choirs.

Clarinet Studio

  • Who Are We?
    The SIU clarinet studio offers students the opportunity to explore a full range of creative activities, in addition to more traditional musical and technical development training. Each student, particularly graduate students, is encouraged to pursue a unique musical path where they can realize and integrate their talents and expertise toward their creative goals. Students bring a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives that we all share and grow with together.

  • Where Do We Come From?
    The clarinetists in our clarinet studio come from all over the United States and abroad to SIU for our unique study opportunities. Just in the past five years, the clarinet studio has had students from Illinois, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Colombia. Our clarinetists have come to study at SIU from the Eastman School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Ithaca Collete, University of Texas-Austin, Stetson University, St. Olaf College, University of Alabama, University of Denver Lamont School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, and many other schools.

  • What Are Graduates Doing?
    In addition to successful careers as performers in professional orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the United States, many of our graduates serve as passionate, dedicated, and innovative teachers and administrators in universities and pre-college schools in the US and abroad, and they have distinguished themselves as bold entrepreneurs in many other aspects of our profession. Our clarinetist graduates pursuing advanced study opportunities have received fellowships/assistantships for doctoral study at major universities, and through prestigious Fulbright fellowships.

Videos

Etude #15 from 32 Etudes by Cyrille Rose

Etude #26 from 32 Etudes by Cyrille Rose

Etude #17 from 32 Etudes by Cyrille Rose

Etude #18 from 32 Etudes by Cyrille Rose

Etude #5 from 32 Etudes for Clarinet by Cyrille Rose

Etude #14 from 32 Etudes for Clarinet by Cyrille Rose

Rrowzer! for solo clarinet by Eric P. Mandat