Bio
Michael Isadore's versatile clarinet career involves performances as an orchestral and chamber musician, concerto soloist, recitalist, lecturer and teacher. Isadore holds positions as 2nd clarinet with the Symphony of Southeast Texas, 2nd clarinet with the Victoria Symphony and 2nd clarinet with the Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society. As a soloist, Isadore has performed concertos with the South Texas Symphony Orchestra, Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, Houston Civic Symphony and the Houston Sinfonietta. As a freelance clarinetist, Isadore is on many of the professional orchestra sub lists and has performed with the Houston Symphony.
As a chamber musician, Isadore is founder, clarinetist, and conductor of the möbius chamber ensemble. The möbius chamber ensemble's unique mission is to present a varied repertoire and instrumentation to the audience, breaking the mold of a stagnant group of players performing like-minded repertoire. Based around a core ensemble, each performance by möbius featured solos to ensembles, baroque to contemporary, and would include large chamber works like Revuelta's "Ocho por Radio", and Schubert's "Octet." The möbius chamber ensemble has been featured in Houston area chamber music series and as a local performing ensemble with the Society for the Performing Arts.
Instrumental in advancing new music for clarinet and flute, Isadore, in conjunction with Leone Buyse and Michael Webster (Rice University), founded the Flute/Clarinet Duos Consortium (FCDC) with the goal of increasing the repertoire for flute, clarinet, and piano by leading composers. Through previous interaction with Libby Larsen, Isadore reconnected with Ms. Larsen for the initial commission of Barn Dances, published by Oxford University Press. Isadore premiered the third FCDC commission by Valerie Coleman at the 2007 National Flute Convention in Albuquerque and remains on the board of this national organization, which continues to bring new works into the Flute/Clarinet genre.
In addition to performing, Isadore has appeared as guest speaker with the newEar contemporary ensemble in Kansas City and as part of a new music session at the International Clarinet Association's ClarinetFest in 2008. Isadore continues to study clarinet with Thomas LeGrand, Associate Principal Clarinet with the Houston Symphony.
Personal Note
I am often asked, since I am a conductor, why I still perform on clarinet as many conductors no longer perform instrumentally. The truth is, I believe both disciplines directly affect each other and make the individual one better. The aural skills and score study developed from conducting allow me to hear my orchestral part in greater context. On the flipside, performing in orchestras for a variety of conductors provides a constant "masterclass" of ideas and techniques which enable me to improve and refine my conducting craft.
Another important element of my musical philosophy is the inclusion of contemporary music in my programs. Whether it is with chamber music recitals or orchestral programs, contemporary music often plays an important part in the construction of the program. One past program included a programmatic work of Mendelssohn and Daugherty. The möbius chamber ensemble gained a reputation of performing diverse repertoire and instrumentation. A listener would come to the concert and hear unaccompanied Bach as well as unaccompanied Messiaen on the same program.
Although I am not a composer, I believe that music is a living art form and needs to be constantly explored in order to grow. I feel the orchestra also reaps benefits from performance of contemporary music in that the interpretation and technical skills needed from start to performance are often more demanding than works which are often repeatedly performed. The result is that the orchestra can view the standard repertoire from a new frame of reference after a recent performance or collaboration with a composer.
Regardless of the performance genre, I always believe that the driving force behind all performances should be the music and I strive to convey this to the performers and the audience through my actions. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, engagements, or general discussion.
Media
Coleman: Portraits of Langston, Mvt. II
View on Vimeo
Portraits of Langston V: Parisian Cabaret
View on Vimeo
View on Vimeo
Speaking at the ICA convention in Kansas City
Lecture Recital at Baylor University with Jennifer Isadore and Stephen Morris
With clarinet and flute professors Richard and Helen Ann Shanley (Baylor University)
With Carol Stinson having fun at a G&S photo shoot
FCDC
Flute/Clarinet Duos Consortium: "Advancing Contemporary Music for Flute and Clarinet by Leading Composers"
Founded in 2000 through the partnership of Michael Isadore, Leone Buyse (Professor of Flute at Rice University) and Michael Webster (Professor of Clarinet at Rice University), the Flute/Clarinet Duos Consortium (FCDC) was established to commission new works for flute, clarinet and piano. Feeling that there was a lack of original music for this instrumentation, as well as having a spouse that plays flute, Isadore contacted composer Libby Larsen for the first commission. Currently in the procedure for a fourth commission, all completed commissions have been funded by generous grants from the Brannen-Cooper fund, as well as contributions by individual flute/clarinet duos, chamber ensembles and universities from across the country. If you would be interested in contributing to a commission or finding out more about FCDC, please send an email to forward your information to Michael Isadore and the current FCDC President. FCDC is a 501(c)(3) organization.
FCDC members after the Barn Dances premiere. From left to right: Jennifer Isadore, Michael Isadore, Richard Shanley, Helen Ann Shanley, Leslie Timmons, Nick Morrison, Jill Felber, Paul Bambach, and Leone Buyse.
Libby Larsen shortly after Barn Dances premiere following a lecture at Rice University
With Jennifer Isadore, flute; Valerie Coleman, composer; and Stephen Morris, piano at our premiere of Coleman's "Portraits" at the NFA convention in Albuquerque
Completed Projects
Libby Larsen: Barn Dances (2001)
Premiered by Richard and Helen Ann Shanley, NFA Convention, Dallas 2001
Derek Bermell: Twin Trio (2005)
Premiered by Jill Felber and Paul Bambach, NFA Convention, San Diego 2005
Valerie Coleman: Portraits of Langston (2007)
Premiered by Michael and Jennifer Isadore, NFA Convention, Albuquerque 2007
Studio
Mr. Isadore maintains a small, selective private studio. His students have been very successful in the TMEA All-State process and have won many local concerto competitions. The majority of his students pursue degrees in music and have been accepted to many high profile institutions like The Cleveland Institute of Music, Peabody, The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and Baylor.
Contact Mr. Isadore to inquire about current openings in the studio.
Resume
Conductor
Houston Civic Symphony: Associate Conductor
Houston Youth Symphony: Philharmonia Conductor
Clarinetist
Victoria Symphony 2nd clarinet
Symphony of Southeast Texas 2nd clarinet
Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society
Freelance Artist