Biography
Brian Schappals is a clarinetist, composer and educator based in Seattle, WA that diversifies the art of clarinet playing by integrating multiple styles of playing into his performances and compositions. He is a Master’s in Music: Clarinet Performance student at University of Washington, studying with Benjamin Lulich. He graduated from Whitworth University in 2017 where he earned a B.A. in Clarinet Performance and a B.A. in Music Composition. In 2015, Brian won Whitworth University’s concerto competition and performed Claude Debussy’s “Premiere Rhapsodie for Clarinet and Orchestra” with the Whitworth Symphony Orchestra. In 2017, he earned a gold medal in MusicFest Northwest’s Reed Composition division for the composition and performance of his Sonata for Clarinet and Piano. In 2018, he performed James David’s Auto ’66: Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble with the University of Washington Wind Ensemble under Shayna Stahl's baton. Brian is also an active musician in the greater Seattle area, performing with Seattle Collaborative Orchestra, Emerald Ballet Theater Orchestra, Saratoga Orchestra and Bellingham Chamber Chorale. Before moving to Seattle, he was active in regional performance competitions in Spokane, WA, such as MusicFest Northwest’s Young Artist and Reed Composition Divisions.
Brian is also an active composer of contemporary classical music. While specializing in compositions for clarinet, he is well-versed in composing for a variety of ensembles, including orchestra, electro-acoustic pieces, and choral works. In 2016, Brian won Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble’s “Undergraduate Choral Composition Competition” award, and Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble premiered his composition, “Lonely Dreams”, in Seattle on May 21, 2016. Brian has also received commissions for compositions from three professors at Whitworth University and two students, which includes a professional commission from Dr. Philip Baldwin – the director of the Symphony Orchestra. Brian has two published works, Voyage for Saxophone Quartet and Electronics and an arrangement of Richard Wagner’s Prelude to Tristan und Isolde for clarinet choir.
Brian is also an active composer of contemporary classical music. While specializing in compositions for clarinet, he is well-versed in composing for a variety of ensembles, including orchestra, electro-acoustic pieces, and choral works. In 2016, Brian won Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble’s “Undergraduate Choral Composition Competition” award, and Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble premiered his composition, “Lonely Dreams”, in Seattle on May 21, 2016. Brian has also received commissions for compositions from three professors at Whitworth University and two students, which includes a professional commission from Dr. Philip Baldwin – the director of the Symphony Orchestra. Brian has two published works, Voyage for Saxophone Quartet and Electronics and an arrangement of Richard Wagner’s Prelude to Tristan und Isolde for clarinet choir.
©Brian Schappals 2019. All rights reserved.
