Leslie Craven

Click on the image or link to go to the relevant site.

Endorsements

Leslie endorses Leblanc Opus Clarinets, Marca Clarinet Reeds and Ashton Superpads. He uses Backun barrels and bells and Bradford Behn "Craven model" mouthpieces on Zinner blanks

Leslie uses Ashton Superpads made by Eddie Ashton of Woodwind & co. Eddie also kindly takes orders for Leslies book and usually has a few copies in stock.

Leslie has used MARCA reeds for many years

Leslie endorses the East London Clarinet Choir (as he is a fellow East End Londoner !!) who are doing great work creating interest in Clarinet Choir music via their concerts in several London venues and beyond.

Teaching and writing

Leslie teaches at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he co-organises regular clarinet conventions at the junior department of the college. Leslie frequently contributes articles and reviews for the Clarinet and Saxophone magazine of the Clarinet and Saxophone Society.

Sponsorship

John Packer is a sponsor of events Leslie is involved in, and a supplier of clarinets and accessories that Leslie uses.

John Packer - For all musical instrument supplies and accessories

Vandoren

Eddie Ashton (Woodwind & Co.)

Gladstone Musical Instruments

CASS

Providence Music (Bristol). Contact:

Clarinet Classics

Conn-Selmer Inc

Vincent Bach International Ltd
Unit 71, Capitol Wy
Capitol Industrial Park
London
NW9 0EW
Tel: 020 8358 8800

Bruce Perrin of Barnes and Mullins LTD has been very generous in adding the Barnes and Mullins name to the team of sponsors for the Clarinet Convention at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Performance

[Image: The Vale of Glamorgan Ensemble] The string/chamber orchestra the Vale of Glamorgan Ensemble is a fine ensemble of players drawn from the Orchestra of WNO and is based in South Wales U.K.

Leslie performed the world premiere of Cafolla's Clarinet Concerto "Ambidexterity" with this ensemble.

website: www.valeofglamorganensemble.co.uk

As principal clarinet of the Welsh National Opera, Leslie has performed in numerous operas and recordings with such artists as Bryn Terfel, Renee Fleming, Alfredo Kraus, and Marcello Alvarez.

Recommended products

Leslie uses Vandoren Ligatures.	Leslie uses the Ridenour Reed Finishing method invented by Tom Ridenour - Leslie also recommends Tom's book The Educator's Guide to the clarinet and mouthpieces manufactured by him
Leslie plays mouthpieces using the hand crafted Zinner blank	makers of the GENNUSA "EXCELLENTE" Clarinet Mouthpiece Leslie Recommends Gennusa mouthpieces crafted on the Zinner blank
Dr Allan Segal's website - An American specialist manufacturer of fine clarinet barrels, used by Leslie. Review by Leslie
Leslie currently uses Brad Behn's Chedeville style Zinner blank "Craven" model mouthpiece specially designed in conjunction with Brad for Leslie's personal taste in sound, focus and ease of production, staccato etc
Leslie currently uses Backun bells and barrels

Leslie gave the teaching aid Music @ Site a glowing review for CASS magazine.

www.sityourselffit.com

Other links

An organisation for the promotion of the clarinet and associated material - free membership

Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Given the beneficial £/$ exchange rate at present, it is very efficient and economical to use Sheet Music Plus (see link to the left)

The International Clarinet Association A fantastic organisation for the promotion of all things clarinet orientated - modest subscription rates for a magazine with amazing articles and terrific website archive material and much more

Brian Tarr's Website Click here to go to Brian Tarr's personal website. His pictures can be found both on the home and gallery pages of Leslie's site.

Anthony Wakefield composer

Christopher Ball composer

Daniel Bimbi's web site Daniel Bimbi who has written works for many well known instrumentalists has dedicated his piece (for clarinet and piano) "El Casot" to Leslie.

"Making Buttons"

Mary Goldberg, a parent of one of Leslie's former pupils, (Mary's son George won a music scholarship to Winchester as a result of studying with Leslie) sent this beautiful photograph of the ceramic buttons she designs. Mary is a professional potter and has a studio in St Dominick Cornwall - recently her buttons have been selling like hot cakes and designers and stores have been buying thousands of them. She has currently about 500 different designs and she has had articles featuring the buttons in "Country Living" and "Coast"magazines. Mary has a website at www.stockwellpottery.co.uk where some of her work can be viewed.

Les has an idea to use Mary's buttons as touchplates for the keys on the clarinet - the lower joint clusters would be suitable and could be inset into the silver. Actually, as it is not April 1st Les decided to shelve the idea for the present!!