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SongWorking

The musician will not be classified

Alexander Laing

img_0550-1Alex Laing began studying the clarinet at age 11 in his hometown of Silver Spring, MD.

In 2002 he joined the Phoenix Symphony as principal clarinet.

A longtime believer in community engaged music making, Alex recently started The Leading Tone, a non profit, after school project dedicated to exploring music as a context for youth development.

A graduate of Northwestern University, he received his master’s degree in Orchestral Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, an artist’s diploma from the Sweelinck Conservatorium Amsterdam and a certificate in non profit management from Arizona State University’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation.

Alex is fortunate to have garnered a number of awards and honors during his career including fellowships from the Tanglewood Music Center, New World Symphony, Aspen Music Festival and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

 

(photo credit: Robert Strava)

An Archived ArtsJournal Blog

Alexander Laing

Alex Laing began studying the clarinet at age 11 in his hometown of Silver Spring, MD. In 2002 he joined the Phoenix Symphony as principal clarinet. A longtime believer in community engaged music making, Alex recently started The Leading Tone, a non profit, after school project dedicated to exploring music as a context for youth development. A graduate of Northwestern University, he received his master's degree in Orchestral Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, an artist's … ... [more]

SongWorking

At our best, orchestras move in ensemble like a school of fish. We use sound to unfold stories. We are an amazing display of human coordination. In that human coordination show I am a clarinetist. Of course, orchestral musicians are more than just our instruments. I’m also an artist, a biracial Black man, a person interested in organizational design and culture, culture writ large, symbols and meaning. The list could go on for a while without getting personal. I think orchestras will develop … ... [more]

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