David Perry Lecturer, Clarinet

Wilson Hall 4011
dperry@wlu.edu

The 21st century has witnessed numerous challenges for classical music — both practical and existential — including the bankruptcy of flagship symphony orchestras, the elimination of music programs from public schools, and even questions of the overall value of an art form transplanted from another time and continent. Amid this adversity, clarinetist David Perry has consistently shown himself to be a musician with exceptional creativity, pragmatism, and tireless devotion to revealing the untapped potential of his art form.

David has an exceptional passion for the connective power of music, bringing people together at a time when strong forces seek to pull us apart. David has taught in challenged urban communities in New Haven and Waterbury, CT, using music as a vehicle for social change. An avid chamber musician, David founded The Second Movement in 2014, dedicated to providing under-resourced students and families with access to professional musical performance.

As a performer, David serves as a guest musician with the Richmond, Roanoke, and Williamsburg Symphonies, as well as Lynchburg’s Opera on the James and Richmond’s Classical Revolution RVA. An adjunct professor of music at James Madison University, he currently lives in Harrisonburg, VA with his wife and their two cats.