A Small Instrument That Makes a Big Impact

Let’s Learn About the Clarinet!

The word “clarinet” comes from the Italian word “clarino,” which means “little trumpet.” This elegant woodwind instrument is renowned for its rich tone and expressive capabilities. With a range of four octaves the instrument has evolved significantly throughout the centuries, captivating musicians and audiences worldwide. Join professional musician, educator, and UMS artist facilitator Kari Landry to learn all about the amazing clarinet.

Explore the accompanying slides and worksheets to learn even more about the clarinet.

About the Artist

Lauded for her “sheer musical imagination” (Gramophone), Kari Landry is a Backun Artist and the clarinetist and founder of the Billboard charting, 7x national prize winning Akropolis Reed Quintet. Celebrating their 16th season as “a sonically daring ensemble who specializes in performing new works with charisma and integrity” (BBC Music Magazine), Akropolis delivers over 100 concerts and educational events worldwide annually, and has commissioned over 150 works for the reed quintet. A proud small business owner, Kari runs Akropolis’ nonprofit alongside her husband and Akropolis saxophonist Matt, serving as the organization’s Artistic Director and Marketing and Development Manager.

Kari is a fierce advocate for independent and impactful music careers. Since 2016, Kari has taught at the University of Michigan School of Music Theater and Dance in the EXCEL entrepreneurship department, encouraging students to pursue their own artistic ventures and businesses.

Kari was born into a musical Detroit family. Her mother was a bassoonist and her father was a motown studio French Hornist who, among many recordings, can be heard ripping up the intro to the iconic “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by the legendary Marvin Gaye. As a new mother, she aims to pass on her family’s musical heritage to her 16 month old son Theo who has already toured with Akropolis from Atlanta to Amsterdam.

She is an alumnus of The University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University and has held administrative positions with the University Musical Society (UMS), Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Aspen Music Festival, and The Kennedy Center.