Don Baird - Biography

A few of Don performing credits include: Stockton Symphony, principal clarinetest; Stockton Chamber Orchestra - principal; La Jolla Symphony, principal; Burbank Symphony - assistant principal/principal. He was also a featured soloist at the Amercian Composer's Convention and a winner of the University of the Pacific Woodwind competition (Premiere Rhapsodie, Debussy). Other awards include Bank of America and the national Pi Kappa Lambda outstanding musican awards.

At one point in his studies a staff member of Juilliard School of Music referred to him as the "Heifitz of Clarinet". That reference was a wonderful honor to him of which he has always cherished.

His trademarks are his rich tone and striking use of dynamics as mentioned by Mehli and Zubin Mehta both. Mitchell Lurie said Don "is cabable to sit principal clarinet in any major symphony in the country". Dennis McCarthy (Star Trek, Private Benjamin, McIvor etc) mentioned he "had never really appreciated the clarinet until hearing Don". The next week Dennis had Don contracted to solo in a television show (Private Benjamin) with many to follow.

Don continued playing recording sessions for Warner Bros., Disney, MGM and many other major studios until he accidentally broke his right hand. After a lengthy healing time, Don was back on the clarinet following his dreams and passion.

Today he specilizes in writing, playing and producing his own cds. Currently he is composing and recording three cd projects featuring clarinet which have working titles of Adagios for Clarinet, Contemporary Clarinet and The Tao of Clarinet (a collection of meditations for clarinet and chanting). They are expected to be finished in 2011.

He is also focusing on teaching advanced students, giving master's classes on various topics from tone development/understanding to dynamic performance practices. His nature is invigorating and engaging which clearly radiates from him during his presentations, lessons and performances.

Don's primary clarinet teachers/mentors were Dan Magnusson and Mitchell Lurie. He's played clarinet since he was 8. And, when asked about his clarinet he simply responds "I love it".