Mike Cavin

Critically Acclaimed Clarinetist

United States

I use Légère reeds simply because they are the best reeds available now. They last thing I want to have to deal with is a reed problem in the middle of a recital. With these reeds. I do not have to worry about them. They are always the same, and ready to go at all times, cold, hot, rain or shine. I also have much more time to work with making music, because I do not have to worry about adjusting, breaking-in, or selecting reeds. Also it is much easier to get the tone quality, the phrasing nuances, articulation, and dynamic contrasts I desire, than with any other reed!

Cavin shows talent in Carnegie Recital: "Cavin, who performed last night at Carnegie Recital Hall, is the complete clarinetist. Not only was his technical proficiency untaxed during a strenuous program, but in each work he went well beyond mere craft....Mr. Cavin's inherent gift for phrasing was evident....his tone remained firm and sonorous....Intonation was excellent and a wide range of dynamic shadings provided contrasts. Mr. Cavin's professional career to date has centered on ballet and opera orchestras, and perhaps that is why he achieved in his playing such a pleasing balance between singing and dancing. " Donal Henahan, New York Times

As a critically acclaimed clarinetist, Mike enjoys a rich and varied career as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. He has been featured in various venues, from Lincoln Center in New York City to park concerts in Long Island. Soloist performances took him around the world, as he played at the IV Festival International de Onoco in Matamoros, the Orquesta Sinfonica de San Luis Potosi, the OSIJUG Orchestra in Guadalajara, Auditorium Museo Nazionale dell’Internato Ignoto in Italy and various recital halls in La Paz and Chapala, Mexico. In Padova Italy, Mike competed in 6 Concorso International di Escevuzione Musical “Premio Citta and earned three Diplomas di Partecipazione and a medallion for Performances.



In New York Mike starred in performances at Radio City Music Hall and on Broadway in Man of La Mancha and Over Here. As an orchestral musician he toured the United States as Principal clarinetist with world-renowned orchestras as The American Ballet Theater, The Metropolitan Opera National Company, The Harkness Ballet, Le Grand Ballet Classique de France, and The U.S. Navy Band, Washington, D.C. In Texas he performed with notable ensembles as: The Houston Festival Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera, and The Brazos Valley Symphony.

Mike shared his talent for music performance at the collegiate level. He earned a Doctor of Music degree in clarinet performance from Indiana University and taught at I.U. for five years and at Sam Houston State University for six years. Mike shared his expertise to his students, just as his clarinet teachers Anthony Gigliotti, Bernard Portnoy, Harold Wright, Kalmen Opperman, and Ricardo Morales, shared with him.

In a recent project he is recording music by composers from Mexico. Two pieces are now available for download at Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, et al. Go to your favorite download store and search Mike Cavin.

Cavin is pleased and honored to be on the Artist Roster for Legere Reeds, performing on their reeds exclusive since 2014; and the Artist Roster of Backun Musical Services. using Moba clarinets and mouthpieces for over 3 years.

For sound clips and more info , I invite you to visit my website: www.mikecavin.com