Buffet Crampon USA, North American distributor of Buffet Crampon professional, intermediate and student clarinets, recently partnered with Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas and the San Antonio Symphony to grant the wish of a Buffet Crampon R13 professional clarinet.
The clarinet (a Buffet Crampon R13 professional Bb Clarinet with silver keys) was selected by San Antonio Symphony Assistant Principal/E-flat Clarinet and Buffet Crampon Clarinet Artist Stephanie Key and presented by Buffet Crampon USA Southwest Division Manager Jordan Olinsky during the intermission of the San Antonio Symphony’s June 7 evening performance. The recipient, Michael (age 15), has elevated Hyper IgE Syndrome (HIES), a rare primary immunodeficiency disease characterized by skin, lung, and blood abnormalities. From a very young age, Michael has always enjoyed music and playing his favorite instrument, the clarinet. He first began learning how to play in his middle school band and has continued this passion into high school with hopes of pursing music as his future career. When asked about what he wanted for his wish, he knew exactly what to wish for – a Buffet Crampon professional clarinet.
Make-A-Wish reached out to Stephanie to help make this wish come true, and in turn, Buffet Crampon USA was contacted by Dallas Symphony Orchestra Principal Clarinet and Buffet Crampon Artist Gregory Raden, connecting them with Stephanie for the selection. Coincidentally, Stephanie plays the same model as Michael’s “Wish” instrument, and upon learning of the donation remarked, “To share my love and passion for music with a young, aspiring musician means the world to me. I could not pass up such an incredible opportunity to make a wish like this come true. Having this amazing instrument will enable Michael to continue his musical studies at a very high level, and help him find his own, unique voice.”
Buffet Crampon USA President and CEO François Kloc commented, “Buffet Crampon is honored to have a part in helping make Michael’s wish come true. Music is a powerful tool for healing, and we are more than happy to work with our new Artist Stephanie Key, the San Antonio Symphony, and Make-A-Wish to present this R13 clarinet to a very deserving young man.”
Stephanie joined the Buffet Crampon Clarinet Artist roster in May and received her BM with Distinction in Performance from New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. A champion and avid performer of the music of our time, Stephanie co-founded the award-winning SOLI Chamber Ensemble with her husband, cellist David Mollenauer in 1993. In addition to her duties with the San Antonio Symphony and SOLI, Stephanie is an adjunct member of the music faculty at Trinity University.
