On what would have been his 74th birthday, former students, colleagues, friends, and family gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Dallas Tidwell, a beloved clarinetist, teacher, and friend. Through music, stories, and memories, we celebrated the man who reminded us all that playing the clarinet should be fun, not work. Below is the program that accompanied the concert.
Special thanks to Adam Thomas, Jessica Lynn, Edith Tidwell, and Kristen Tidwell Meiners for creating this heartfelt tribute.
Resounding Impact:
The Dallas Tidwell Legacy Concert
Sunday, September 1st, 2024
University of Louisville, Comstock Concert Hall
7:30 PM
“Playing clarinet is supposed to be fun, not work. If you are not having fun, you are doing it wrong.”
– Dallas Tidwell
Program
Welcome: Jessica Lynn
Five Bagatelles op. 23
- Prelude: Allegro deciso
- Romance: Andante tranquillo
- Forlana: Allegretto grazioso
Michael Burkhead, clarinet
David George, piano
Gerald Finzi
(1901-1956)
Speaker: Kris Bachmann
Un Seul
Kris Bachmann, bass clarinet
Kalmen Opperman
(1919-2010)
Speaker: Brad Rogers
Sonatina for Clarinet & Piano
- Lento, ma non troppo
Michelle Gilfert, clarinet
David George, piano
Joseph Horovitz
(1926-2022)
Hommage à de Falla for Clarinet & Piano
Robert Acosta, clarinet
Béla Kovács
(1937-2021)
Speaker: Adam Thomas
Viktor’s Tale (from “The Terminal”)
Adam Thomas, clarinet
David George, piano
John Williams
(1932)
Speaker: Michelle Gilfert
Clarinet Choir
Adam Thomas, conductor
Super Mario Brothers Medley
Koji Kondo (1961)
arr. Sharon Murphy
In My Life
John Lennon (1940-1980)
Paul McCartney (1942)
arr. Brad Rogers
Disney for Five
arr. Brad Rogers
Rhosymedre
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1871-1958)
Clarinet Choir Personnel
Eb Clarinet
Brad Rogers
Bb Clarinet
Robert Acosta
Kevin Arbogast
Michael Burkhead
Paula Cundiff
Carolyn Fassio
Michelle Gilfert
Jessica Lynn
Sharon Murphy
Marilyn Nije
Linda Pulley
Alice Regnari
Bass Clarinet
Jennifer Korfhage
Courtney Drown
Contrabass Clarinet
Kris Bachmann
Biography of Dallas Tidwell
September 1, 1950 – May 14, 2015
Dallas Tidwell, a devoted father, husband, teacher, and clarinetist, had a significant impact on the Louisville music community, that is still deeply felt after his passing nearly ten years ago. Known for his warm, generous spirit, Dallas was not just a master of his craft but also a man who cherished his family above all else. His wife, Edith, and daughter Kristen were the bedrock of his life, providing him with the love and support that fueled his artistic and professional endeavors.
As a clarinetist, Dallas was known for his beautiful, warm sound and expressive playing, which conveyed not only technical mastery but also profound emotional depth. His performances were marked by a unique ability to connect with audiences, drawing them into the music and making them feel as though they were part of something much larger than themselves. Dallas pursued his studies at the University of Louisville, earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees under the tutelage of James Livingston. His career was marked by excellence, spanning decades of performance, collaboration, and teaching.
Dallas’s connection to the Louisville Orchestra began early in his career, where he served as associate principal and second clarinetist for 27 years. His contributions to the orchestra were vast, playing in more than 8,000 performances, including concerts, ballets, operas, and chamber music events. His role in the orchestra’s First Edition Records program reflected his dedication to contemporary music, bringing new works to life through recordings that still resonate today.
Beyond his orchestral work, Dallas was a founding member of several esteemed ensembles, including the Kentucky Center Chamber Players, the Commonwealth Clarinet Quartet, and the School of Music’s Faculty Chamber Artists. His chamber music collaborations took him around the world, with performances in Japan and across the eastern United States. His solo appearances were equally notable, including performances with the Louisville Orchestra, University Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble.
Dallas’s role as teacher has proven to be one of the most enduring aspects of his legacy. A faculty member at the University of Louisville’s School of Music for nearly four decades, Dallas was more than an instructor. He was a mentor, friend, and guide to countless students who respect and admire him deeply. His teaching philosophy went beyond technical mastery. He focused on the holistic development of his students and instilled in them a sense of confidence, curiosity, and dedication to their craft. Dallas’s devotion to music and education was recognized by the University of Louisville with the establishment of the Dallas Tidwell and Edith Davis Tidwell Endowed Fund in Clarinet and Voice Studies, ensuring that his influence will continue to shape future generations of musicians.
Program Notes
Tonight’s concert is more than a celebration of music; it is a celebration of the life, legacy, and enduring spirit of Dallas Tidwell, on what would be his 74th birthday. Organized by those who knew and loved him—friends, students, and family—this evening is a testament to the profound impact Dallas had on all of us.
The program reflects the informal yet thoughtfully structured approach Dallas embodied in his life and work. Pieces have been carefully chosen for the personal sentiment it holds for the performer(s). Some selections evoke memories shared with Dallas, capturing the essence of his warmth, humor, and passion for music. Others have been arranged by his former students, showcasing the ripple effect of his teaching—a legacy that continues to inspire and shape the artistic journeys of those he mentored.
Interspersed with the music are stories and reflections from those who had the privilege of knowing Dallas. These moments of storytelling are not just about remembrance; they are about bringing Dallas’s spirit into the room with us, sharing the laughter, wisdom, and warmth that he brought to every interaction.
Each are heartfelt tributes to the enduring impact Dallas had on everyone who knew him. As we listen to the music he loved and hear the words of those he inspired, we are reminded that his legacy lives not only in the notes he played but in the lives he touched.
As we gather to celebrate Dallas’s life and legacy, we remember a man who, in every aspect of his life, exemplified the qualities of love, dedication, and artistry. His spirit lives on in the music we play, the lessons we carry forward, and the memories we hold dear.
back row: Edith Tidwell, Adam Thomas, Sharon Murphy, Kevin Arbogast, Michael Burkhead, Jessica Lynn, Paula Cundiff, Linda Pulley, Courtney Drown, Kris Bachmann