November 25, 2024
MusicFest Northwest (MFNW) is thrilled to announce the launch of our Alumni History Initiative, a heartfelt project designed to connect with our alumni from across our remarkable 80-year history. This initiative aims to celebrate the profound impact that MusicFest has had on the lives of musicians throughout generations, and we are excited to share these inspiring stories with our community! Recently, we had the honor of speaking with Dr. James Schoepflin (Professor Emeritus, Washington State University) to hear his story. Prior to his career in performance and music education, James first entered the Greater Spokane Allied Arts Festival in 1955, as a pianist under the instruction of Mary Banks playing the Shostakovich Three Fantastic Dances. He later won the Young Artist Division while attending Walla Walla University, playing movement one of the infamous third Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto!
His impressive 29-year tenure at Washington State University was marked by significant contributions as the Director of the School of Music. Beyond education, Dr. Schoepflin’s passion for performance has been inspiring to the musical landscape of our region. As a founding member of Chamber ensembles such as the Solstice Wind Quintet and Muhlfeld Trio, and as a co-founder of The Clarinet, the official magazine of the International Clarinet Association, his influence extends far and wide. Moreover, Dr. Schoepflin has conducted professional ensembles and companies such as the Washington Idaho Symphony and the Spokane Opera, leaving an indelible mark on our region’s cultural heritage. Because of his undeniable dedication, the International Clarinet Association honored Dr. Schoepflin with the Honorary Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award, a testament to his lifelong commitment to the art of music.
We are so grateful to Dr. Schoepflin for being a beloved contributor to the MusicFest community over the years; his legacy is nothing short of remarkable. Not only was he our Reeds Division Chair from the late 1990s until 2019, but he has been a beloved mentor whose influence has shaped the careers of countless musicians. Previously, four of his own students won the Young Artist Division, growing into successful musical careers in professorship and performance. This follows a lifetime of surety and devotion to his profession; with unwavering clarity about his vocation since eighth grade, when he first picked up the clarinet, Dr. Schoepflin’s passion and dedication to music education inspire us all. On MusicFest’s community impact, Dr. Schoepflin helpfully suggested we look at the incredible amount of Spokane Symphony members who are MusicFest alumni, and passionately continued on to say that MFNW has ties “that go far outside those who choose music as a career” and that “music enhances everything you do whether you’re a music major or not”, demonstrating how MusicFest can truly change the lives of everyone.
Now in retirement, Dr. Schoepflin continues to share his love for music by traveling the world and playing enchanting piano duets with his wife. He is also passionate about attending as many concerts and productions in the area as possible, writing a wide- reaching Facebook review for each one! He remains a staunch advocate for MFNW, echoing our belief that music is a transformative force in our lives.
At MusicFest Northwest, we are committed to fostering an environment where young artists can experience life-changing moments: connecting, creating, and celebrating! We are immensely grateful to Dr. Schoepflin for sharing his inspiring story and for supporting the dreams of young musicians over the years. Schoepflin believes, as we do, that “music is the anchor of the world, and it will change your life if you let it”. We at MFNW aim to create a festival where artists of all ages eagerly anticipate life-changing experiences. Join us in celebrating Dr. Schoepflin! Many thanks to him for sharing his story and supporting the growth of young musicians over the decades. During these years, he has learned to not allow frustrations and challenges of the world detract from his love of music: “It’s easy to descend into worrying about the future. I’ll just say to heck with that, I’ll put my headphones on, listen to a Bruckner symphony, and I will be there in heaven.” Together, we will continue to build a future rich in musical opportunity and passion. For more information about our Alumni History Initiative and MusicFest Northwest, please visit our website or contact us directly at office@musicfestnorthwest.org.