Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Richard Nunemaker was born on May 12, 1950, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the trumpet and his mother playing the piano. Nunemaker began playing the clarinet at the age of 10 and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Nunemaker attended Loyola University in New Orleans, where he studied under clarinetist Alvin Batiste. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1972 and went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan in 1974. After completing his studies, Nunemaker began his professional career as a clarinetist. He performed with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as with various jazz and chamber music ensembles. In 1980, Nunemaker joined the faculty of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he taught clarinet and chamber music for over 30 years. He also served as the principal clarinetist of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and the Meridian Symphony Orchestra. Throughout his career, Nunemaker was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to interpret a wide range of musical styles. He was particularly renowned for his performances of contemporary music, and he premiered numerous works by composers such as William Bolcom, John Corigliano, and Joan Tower. Nunemaker's performances were widely acclaimed, and he received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1985, he was awarded the Outstanding Young Faculty Award by the University of Southern Mississippi. In 1990, he was named the Mississippi Musician of the Year by the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters. In addition to his performances and teaching, Nunemaker was also an active member of the clarinet community. He served as the president of the International Clarinet Association from 1999 to 2001 and was a frequent presenter at clarinet conferences and workshops. Nunemaker retired from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2011 but continued to perform and teach. He passed away on December 28, 2019, at the age of 69. Throughout his life, Richard Nunemaker was a dedicated and passionate musician who inspired countless students and audiences with his artistry and his love of music. His legacy continues to live on through his recordings, his compositions, and the countless musicians he influenced throughout his career.

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