Dr. Jun Qian

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Artistic Recognition and Career Milestones

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As an endorsed artist for Selmer (France) and Légère (Canada), Qian exemplifies both craftsmanship and innovation. His performances are celebrated for their glowing tone, architectural phrasing, and stylistic fluency.

He first attracted international attention in 1997 when he made history as the first artist ever to win prizes in both of the International Clarinet Association’s major competitions in the same year — capturing First Prize in the Orchestral Excerpts Competition and Third Prize in the Young Artist Solo Competition.

In 2001, Qian made his Carnegie Hall debut, performing Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 1 with the Asian American Elite Orchestra — a performance distinguished by its refinement of tone and lyrical power.

From 1999 to 2004, he served as Principal Clarinetist of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, touring Asia twice under Donald Hunsberger and Mark Scatterday. His chamber music collaborations and faculty recitals have been heard on three continents, drawing praise for their blend of intellectual precision and expressive warmth.

He has since appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Shanghai Symphony, Eastman Wind Ensemble, Eastman Chamber Orchestra, Pueblo Symphony, Baylor Symphony, Shanghai Philharmonic, Xiamen Philharmonic, and Shenyang Opera Orchestra. Qian was among the first clarinetists to introduce Chinese audiences to full orchestral performances of concertos by Aaron Copland, Malcolm Arnold, and Donato Lovreglio’s La Traviata Fantasy.

His festival and recital appearances include the Kyoto International Performing Arts Festival (Japan), Shanghai Time Square Concert Series (China), Taipei National Concert Hall Recital Series (Taiwan), Selmer Paris Concert Series (France), the College Music Society International Conference (South Korea), and numerous International Clarinet Association ClarinetFests (Los Angeles, Orlando, Assisi). He has been featured on NPR’s Performance Today with the Grammy Award–winning Ying Quartet, and his recordings have been broadcast throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

In July 2025, Dr. Qian appeared as a featured soloist and conductor at the International Clarinet Association Conference (ClarinetFest®) in the U.S., leading the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Clarinet Choir in the world premiere of Justin Merritt’s Crane’s Dance for clarinet choir and electronics — further cementing his role as a champion of new music and youth artistry.

In October 2025, he performed the "La Traviata Fantasy" at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas  with the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, featuring his original orchestration based on his extensive research into Verdi's orchestral style.

He has appeared as guest principal or tenured principal clarinetist with ensembles such as the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, Eastman Wind Ensemble, Central Wisconsin Symphony, North Carolina Festival Orchestra, American Wind Symphony, and as a student guest principal with The Cleveland Orchestra at the Kent-Blossom Music Festival.

 

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