D'Addario Woodwinds Brings Entire Utah Symphony Clarinet Section to Artist Roster

D'Addario Woodwinds is thrilled to welcome the entire Utah Symphony clarinet section to its newest artists. Lee Livengood, already an endorsee, is now joined by his colleagues Tad Calcara and Erin Svoboda in the endorsement of D'Addario Reserve Classic reeds.

"We are incredibly excited to now have the entire Utah Symphony clarinet section as part of the D'Addario artist family," Tom Kmiecik says, the Artist Relations Specialist for D'Addario Woodwinds. "I had the opportunity to hear them perform at Carnegie Hall earlier this year, and I was impressed by the high-level performance from the entire clarinet section."

Prior to his appointment in Utah for Clarinet and Bass Clarinet, Lee was President of the International Clarinet Association, as well as a member of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, the Tulsa Philharmonic, and the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra. In addition to his work as a performer, Lee is well-known as a mouthpiece maker and refacer, with clients throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. These skills had D'Addario engage Lee as a consultant, with his direct involvement in their development of the X-series line of woodwind mouthpieces.

"D'Addario Reserve and Reserve Classic reeds give me the quality and consistency I need in my work with the orchestra, and in solo and chamber music settings," Lee says.

Aside from his position as Principal Clarinet with the symphony, Tad Calcara is also a pianist who has made his career bridging the gap between jazz and classical music with the orchestra pops show, Symphonic Swing, which celebrates the big band era of swing music. During his 15 seasons with the symphony, both sides of his musical talents have been featured. Prior to his appointment with the Utah Symphony, he performed with the New World Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and the Grand Tetons Music Festival Orchestra.

"When preparing for performances, having a product that you can trust for its high level of consistent quality allows the performer to focus on music rather than equipment," Tad explains. "The D'Addario Reserve Classic clarinet reed provides this, enabling the performer of any genre or style of music to focus his or her energy on making music."

Erin Svoboda, Associate Principal, Second, and Eb Clarinet since 2013, has performed extensively as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician throughout the United States, Asia, and South America. Prior to her work with the Utah Symphony, she has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, American Symphony, and Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and has taken part in commercial recordings of Mahler Symphony No. 8 with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mahler Symphony No. 1, and a compilation of three works commissioned for the orchestra by Read Thomas, Norman, and Muhly.

"The Utah Symphony is a very well-respected orchestra, both domestically and internationally," Tom Kmiecik continues. "For Tad, Erin, and Lee to trust in our woodwind products is truly an honor, and we are thrilled to have them represent D'Addario."

D'Addario & Company, Inc. is the world's largest manufacturer of musical instrument accessories marketed under several product divisions: D'Addario Fretted and Orchestral Strings, Evans Drumheads, Promark Drumsticks, Puresound, D'Addario Woodwinds, and D'Addario/Planet Waves Accessories. A family-owned and operated business with roots dating back to the 17th century and 1,100 employees worldwide, the company manufactures 95% of its products in the U.S. employing Toyota's Lean manufacturing principles. D'Addario musical accessories are distributed in 120 countries, serve more than 3,000 U.S. retailers, all major e-commerce sites, and are the preferred choice of professional and serious amateur musicians worldwide including Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, Lenny Kravitz + more.