Quincy University’s Music Department hosted the 10th annual Clarinet Day for high school students on Feb. 7, 2025 at the Connie Niemann Center for Music located at QU’s North Campus.

One of the students who participated was 16-year-old Laura Craig who goes to Quincy Notre Dame High School in Quincy, Illinois. Craig has been playing the clarinet since fifth grade.

“I just like the sound of the clarinet and the fun of learning a new piece in clarinet especially because I feel like it challenges me a little bit in my ability and it gives me good hand-eye coordination,” Craig said.

Craig mentions that Clarinet Day is something special because she shares it with her friends from the band.

“Band has given me so many new friends, some of them which are here today, and I have other friends in band as well,” Craig said.

One of Craig’s future dreams is to play in the band in college because of the diversity of both the people and instruments.

“I want to try out for some scholarship once I am a senior,” Craig said.

Amber Carmean is 18-years-old and goes to Quincy Senior High School. She has attended Clarinet Day all four years of high school. Carmean finds Clarinet Day fun because she gets to play the clarinet all day and enjoys the final concert.

Carmean has played the clarinet since fourth grade and she does not think about stopping any time soon.

“I want to continue playing through college and in my adult life,” Carmean said.

QU has already spotted Carmean’s talent and wants to make her dream come true by inviting her to join the QU community.

“I have actually already been told I would be getting a scholarship because I auditioned but I won’t know the exact amount until I apply to QU,” Carmean said.

For 14-year-old Molly Carl, it was her first time participating in Clarinet Day. One of Carl’s senior friends recommended that she should attend, and she has found it a lot of fun.

“I plan on going into music when I am older and so it is a nice start for me just so I get involved with music in general,” Carl said.

At the concert at 5 p.m., Carl got to perform the clarinet in front of her father who came to support her.

“Since I am still a freshman I don’t have any plans yet but I am definitely thinking about scholarships in the future,” Carl said.