Carol Finch

Carol Finch – Clarinet

I am from the great state of Ohio where I played clarinet in the high school marching band and orchestra. My undergraduate degree is from Ohio University and have a Master’s in Library Science form the University of Iowa so I am both a Buckeye and a Hawkeye. I coordinated youth services for the Phoenix Public Library before I retired and moved to Sun City. We just recently acquired a dappled long hair dachshund named Buckeye.

Sixty-two years ago, I put down my clarinet, thinking my time with it had passed. Then several years ago, I met a group of clarinetists playing for a tea at our church who had not played for years and was encouraged to play again. I shocked my husband when I told him I was going to buy a clarinet. I have been very lucky to become the student of a teacher who has a PH.D. in clarinet performance. Of course, there were challenges, my fingers were a little stiff, my embouchure needed work and rhythm and counting are a challenge.

I am so glad that I had the courage to take this leap and play again and I encourage everyone to find their own adventure. It really is never too late to learn or rekindle a skill.