Robert Walzel is a renowned clarinetist, conductor, and educator in the world of classical music. Born in 1963 in San Antonio, Texas, Walzel grew up in a musical family and began playing the clarinet at a young age. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance. He then went on to earn his Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas. Walzel’s career as a performer began in earnest in the 1980s, when he joined the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. He served as the principal clarinetist of the band for four years, during which time he performed for numerous high-profile events, including state dinners at the White House and concerts at the Kennedy Center. In 1988, he left the Air Force Band to join the faculty of the University of Northern Iowa, where he served as a professor of clarinet and chamber music for 12 years. During his time at the University of Northern Iowa, Walzel established himself as a highly respected performer and educator. He performed regularly as a soloist and chamber musician, and he also served as the principal clarinetist of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he founded the Northern Iowa Chamber Music Festival, which brought together musicians from around the world for a week-long series of concerts and masterclasses. In 2000, Walzel was appointed the director of the School of Music at the University of Kansas. In this role, he oversaw the development of the school’s curriculum and programs, and he also continued to perform and teach as a clarinetist. He served as the principal clarinetist of the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra from 2001 to 2004, and he also performed regularly with the Kansas Woodwind Quintet and the KU Wind Ensemble. Throughout his career, Walzel has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the world of classical music. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award from the University of Texas at Austin, the Outstanding Teacher Award from the University of Northern Iowa, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Kansas Music Educators Association. He has also been a finalist in several prestigious competitions, including the International Clarinet Association Young Artist Competition and the Naumburg Clarinet Competition. In addition to his work as a performer and educator, Walzel has also made significant contributions to the field of music research. He has published articles and book chapters on a wide range of topics, including the history of the clarinet, the music of Mozart, and the pedagogy of chamber music. He has also served as the editor of The Clarinet, the official publication of the International Clarinet Association. Walzel’s performances have taken him to venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. He has performed with some of the world’s leading orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He has also collaborated with many of the world’s most renowned conductors and composers, including Leonard Slatkin, John Adams, and John Corigliano. In recent years, Walzel has continued to be an active performer and educator.

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