From Chicago to Fayette County Via the Clarinet

Max Reese, a 23-year-old clarinet player from Chicago, made the move from the big city to small-town Round Top for the summer. Alongside other top student musicians from around the world, Reese will be participating in the orchestra at the Round Top Festival Institute. Reese is using this experience to prepare for his future, in which he aspires to be a professional orchestra musician.

“I think that the festival prepares you well for these real life performances,” said Reese. “I think it’s really exciting to see what can happen between all of these people who don’t really know each other super well and how we can come together, move as one big unit and make something really special. “

Reese completed his undergraduate degree at the Oberlin Conservatory and is currently working towards a Master’s degree at DePaul University. He is a substitute for the Milwaukee Symphony, an associate member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and teaches the clarinet both privately and in public schools.

“I actually didn’t start with the clarinet. I just joined the school band in 4th grade, and I actually started with the saxophone. I kind of had an infatuation with all of the different woodwinds, so I tried all of them and clarinet was the one that came the most naturally to me.”

Reese’s passion for the clarinet ultimately lies in his love for music.

“I think of the clarinet as a vehicle to be a musician,” said Reese. “It’s more so the music that is what I love, and I found that the clarinet is the easiest way for me to get that out.”

For Reese this summer so far has consisted of hours of practice with his clarinet - even during periods of free time.

Despite the discipline and hours of practice, Reese said that his time in Round Top and the orchestra has been a fun, enjoyable experience. He plans to spend some of his free time this summer by the pool to help ease the Texas heat, as well as exploring local staples such as Royers Cafe.

“[Round Top] is very charming. It’s also very hot. Like really, really hot. Round Top, the way the place was built, everything is really just stunning aesthetically.”

Reese and other musicians in the orchestra will be performing every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. until July 16 at Festival Hill in Round Top. For more information regarding performances go to https://festivalhill.org.