One of the best things my high school band director ever did for me was to secure me an “audition” to take clarinet lessons from Robert Roden, the director of Simon Kenton High School, and undisputedly the best clarinet teacher in the area. There were two challenges. The first was that he was very selective in who he accepted into his studio. And second, he was more expensive than my mother was going to be able to afford. I’m not sure what Mr. Copenaver told him in advance, but he seemed to know something about my family’s financial situation. 

I was a high school freshman when Mom drove me to his home in Taylor Mill. He was in a lounge chair listening. At the end of the “audition”, Mr. Roden presented his “offer” that went something like this:

“You play well. I can help you get better. But you can’t afford me. As it turns out, I have a bad heart and can’t do yard work or heavy lifting. So, if you would be willing to cut my grass or shovel my snow, or do any other jobs around my house as needed, then I will provide you clarinet lessons until the day you show up here unprepared. Do we have a deal?”

Of course, we had a deal. I knew the significance of what had just happened.

It took about an hour and a half to cut his grass. Typically, Mom would drop me off and come back about three hours later. The Rodens always had a drink/snack break for me. I was either their pet or their adopted son. They were very kind to me. I only remember shoveling snow once or twice. There were a few times where he would have me move the living room furniture around. Sometimes I think he tried to come up with something just so I could feel like I worked for my lessons.

I kept my end of the bargain by always being prepared. And so did he. By senior year, after studying with him four years, I had earned the first chair in the All-State Orchestra, full-ride scholarship offers from Morehead State University, Eastern Kentucky University, and the University of Kentucky — and 1st chair clarinet in the United States Collegiate Wind Band, which toured Europe and the U.S.S.R. in the summer between high school and college.

I played Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsodie for Solo Contest in Junior Year. That was the hardest piece I had ever worked on until he gave me Variations on Au Claire de la Lune by JeanJean. He did something senior year, however, that was either genius or cruel. 

I was his student as 1st chair clarinet from Holmes High School in Covington, KY. He also taught the 1st chair clarinetist from Campbell County High School and from his own school, Simon Kenton. He gave all three of us the same solo. Rival schools. Rival bands. Bragging rights. 

Here is a professional rendition of that solo. I do not have a recording of myself.

There is a very long piano intro. If the video starts at the beginning, move it to 1:00, which is just a few seconds before the clarinet comes in.

A couple of notes about the piece. It is set up a theme and variations with piano interludes in between some of the solo parts. Everyone who knew me could tell you my biggest strength was my technical proficiency, which this piece highlighted. And my biggest weakness was endurance or lack thereof. There would have been some ‘cuts’ to get the piece short enough for contest parameters, but I kept at least most of the piano interludes to give me a break. 

The three clarinetists were not friends. We were not even friendly competitors. The schools were fierce competitors in sports and bands ….and now, in clarinets. The bands got involved to support their “star” and solo contest that day was one I will never forget. Typically the only people in the room for a solo evaluation is the soloist, accompanist, the judge and assistant, and maybe the next person in line, family or a few friends. This was not a typical day.

I don’t remember which of the girls went first, but she got a “I” (Superior Rating). The room was full. The second girl went in a bit later and also got the highest Superior rating. 

My performance was in the afternoon and the pressure was on. Representatives from all three schools tried to fill the performance room. The judge ordered the door to remain open so people in the hallway could hear. 

I knew this judge, Earl Thomas, clarinet professor from Eastern Kentucky University. I had worked with him four summers that I attended the Stephen Collins Foster Music Camp at EKU. He really wanted me as a student. I liked him. 

The crowd in the room made me nervous. The judge did not ….. UNTIL he said, 

“John, I don’t know when I have ever heard this piece played in a high school event and you are my third hearing of it today. The pressure is on you, son because I gave the two girls the highest rating. Are you ready?

Yes, sir.

Oh, and I’ve heard all these piano interludes before……could you just skip those?:

GULP!

As you can see from the old copy of the judge sheet, he didn’t say much. I don’t even remember him closely following the music (which he probably knew well). He just sat and listened.

When I finished, I got a standing ovation from the students in the room — and the judge stood too. 

On my sheet, he gave the rating of a “I+”, which I don’t think existed officially…..but it did indicate I had won the three-way battle. Of course, all three of us got medals for a “Superior” rating. 

PS

This was the piece I played for my college scholarship audition for Phil Miller, clarinet teacher from the University of Kentucky. I felt pretty good when I finished. His words, 

“NASA can teach monkeys how to wiggle their fingers.”

Also, I should note that Mr. Roden played in some “stage bands” at the Beverly Hills Supper Club. This is where my high school prom was held. Roden was one of the casualties in the 1976 fire at the supper club that killed about 165 people. As I understand it, he got out, but went back in to get his music and did not make it out the second time. My father, an off duty firefighter, went to the fire (without his equipment) to help.