Calvin Falwell, Clarinet

Calvin currently holds the 3rd/Bass Clarinet/Utility chair with the Sarasota Orchestra in Sarasota, FL and is Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the University of South Florida where he teaches in the School of Music and the USF Honors College.  During the summer months can be found performing with the Des Moines Metro Opera Festival and the Killington Music Festival.

As an orchestral musician Calvin held positions with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.  Calvin has also appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, Florida Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Green Mountain Opera, Charlottesville Opera Festival, Central City Opera Festival and Colorado Music Festival among others. Former faculty appointments include The College of New Jersey, Holy Family University, Wilmington University, Hartwick College Music Festival and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

Constantly in demand as a clinician, Calvin has presented masterclasses at The University of North Texas, Texas Tech University, Boston University, University of Miami – Frost School of Music, Florida State University, ClariFest Guatemala, the Potsdam Clarinet Summit, University of Evansville Clarinet Workshop, ClariBogota, ClariSax Medellin, Gutape Festival, Shanghai Grand Theater, University of Louisville, University of Tampa, Florida Southern College, University of Central Florida, Murray State University, Belmont University, Bethune-Cookman University, SUNY Potsdam, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad Distrital, Universidad Corpas and the National Conservatory de Colombia.

Additionally, Calvin has had the privilege of premiering numerous works for both clarinet and bass clarinet including works by Todd Goodman, David Thomas, Max Lifchitz, Suzanne Polak, Bradford Blackburn, Paul Reller, David Stock, Judith Lang Zaimont and Joseph Hallman.

His principal teachers and mentors include Paul Demers (Philadelphia Orchestra), Ron Samuels (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), Tim Zavadil (Minnesota Orchestra), Dallas Tidwell (Louisville Orchestra) and Daniel Lochrie (Nashville Symphony). Both Calvin’s BM and MM are in Clarinet Performance and are from the University of Louisville and Duquesne University respectively and is currently completing his Doctorate in Music at Teachers College, Columbia University. 

Calvin is a Buffet Group USA, D’Addario Woodwind and BG France Performing Artist. Performing on Buffet Clarinets, D’Addario Reeds and BG Ligatures exclusively.

Calvin lives in Florida with his wife Kerry Falwell, son Zachary and their two cats Ronald & Callie. When not playing Clarinet Calvin is an avid cyclist and races Gravel and Cyclocross for Team Chase Factor.