About Tom Ridenour

Tom Ridenour, a native of Kentucky, received his master? degree in clarinet performance from Yale University, graduating with honors. Tom taught for more than a decade on the clarinet faculties of Wesleyan University, Hartt College, and the University of Connecticut , as well as performing extensively throughout New England and New York as both soloist and chamber musician.

In 1989 Tom joined G. Leblanc Corporation as Manager of the Woodwind Company, where he was involved extensively in clarinet and mouthpiece design as well as education. In 1997 Tom joined Brook Mays Music Company in Dallas, Texas, where he presently serves corporate clarinet specialist for the entire 62 corporate stores. His newly designed student clarinet, the TR-147 has received wide acceptance and acclaim in an amazingly short period of time.

Over the years Tom has given work shops and master classes at virtually every important music festival and convention in the country and has lectured at many colleges and universities throughout North America. Over the years he has published numerous articles on virtually every aspect of the clarinet. His book, Clarinet Fingerings: a Guide for the Performer and Educator, has been considered the standard referrence on the subject. for more than a decade. His recent publication, The Educator? Guide for the Clarinet, is the first complete clarinet pedagogy ever written in the history of the instrument and has garnered high praise from virtually every corner of the clarinet community as arguably the best book to date on how to play and teach the clarinet.

Presently, Tom also runs his own clarinet specialty business in Duncanville, Texas, Ridenour Clarinet Products. Tom also teaches clarinet on a limited basis and frequently does workshops and masterclasses on virtually every aspect of the clarinet.

Over the years Tom has had the distinction of working closely with many of the world? greatest clarinetists, creating equipment for them that is worthy of their artistry. Tom? goal is to combine his skills as a performer, educator, acoustician, and technician to create a complete approach to clarinetistry.