..." music is the art of sounds, which we express the different feelings of the soul "...

..." music is the art of sounds, which we express the different feelings of the soul "...

MICHAEL G. KIRBY

Principal Clarinet of the Macau Orchestra (China).

Life started with music for Michael and, up to the present date, it has been his hobby, love and profession.

From the age of 9 Michael was a member of the prestigious choir of Gloucester Cathedral, UK, where he became known as a regular soloist during the services, concerts and recordings. At this time he started clarinet lessons at the King’s School Gloucester that is attached to the Cathedral. In 1977 Michael was accepted as a student at Chetham’s School of Music Manchester, UK where he had the opportunity to emphasize his clarinet studies with the late Graham Turner – Principal Bass Clarinettist of the Hallé Orchestra, UK.

After two years studying in Manchester, Michael moved back to Gloucester to continue his academic studies and also started receiving clarinet lessons from the late great Jack Brymer OBE and Gordon Lewin. In 1982 Michael was accepted as a full-time student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, UK where he continued his studies with Jack Brymer OBE for four years and achieved the qualification of AGSM in performance.

During those years in London, Michael participated in various competitions that included the Bromsgrove Young Musicians Platform – winner, The Shell/LSO Scholarship – Finalist and also performed as Principal Clarinet of the Ernest Read Symphony Orchestra, London amongst others. Also during his last year in London, 1986, Michael was accepted as a member of the Clarinet section of the European Community Youth Orchestra.

In 1987 Michael became the Principal Clarinet of the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra and Head Professor of Clarinet in the Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Since 2011 he is the Principal Clarinet of the Macau Orchestra (China).

During his professional career, Michael has participated in many chamber music concerts and as an invited soloist in Europe, Asia and South America. He has recently performed for the British and French Consul of Hong Kong, the Queen’s Birthday celebrations and also for the Italian Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Michael has collaborated frequently with students from the Moon Chun Memorial College, part of the Macau University, and was awarded the Full Blues from Oxbridge.

Michael performs with the Virtuoso models CL2 and CL3 Patricola Clarinets.

Mattia Storti – Via Nazionale, 237 – Cappone di Vallefoglia 61022 (PU) – Italia 

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