When was your first encounter with music?
My parents had a massive collection of classical music CDs when I was growing up so I there was always some type of symphony playing in the background of the house. In terms of formal music training, I took piano lessons when I was six years old. I wasn’t a big fan.
When/How did you start playing your instrument?
I picked the clarinet in fifth grade. I initially wanted to play oboe, but after the music teachers kept talking about how hard it was I decided to pick a different instrument that looked like an oboe. I wish I had a more inspiring story but I didn’t like to work that hard when I was young (also why I didn’t like piano).
When did you decide to make music your career?
I honestly think that many of my initial choices in my music education and career can be traced back to my high school band director. During my time in his class, he allowed me to explore music as a subject from music theory class to letting me learn and perform on instruments completely unrelated to the clarinet. Probably the most valuable experience he provided me with the opportunity to teach the middle school and high school band camps in our district. By the time I was in college, I knew I wanted to teach music in some capacity, but it was through the experience teaching at my high school that I figured out I wanted to specifically teach clarinet.
What is your favorite memory of a performance?
Recently, I put together a totally optional recital with a group of friends. We put together the entire program within two weeks with constant rehearsals and coachings. It was so fun to work on music with my friends in a low pressure situation with only our desire to put on a great performance driving us to practice and rehearse.
What do you like to do outside of music?
I play a lot of video games. I think it’s an indication of how much of a workaholic I am because almost all of the games I play require you to practice them to beat them.
Clarinetist Brian Do performs the 1st movement of the Brahms Sonata in F minor, Op. 120 No. 1