Shouting the big dreams

%28Pictured%29+Jenny++MaClay

(Pictured) Jenny MaClay

By Katie Liggin, Reporter

It is the artists of this world, the feelers and thinkers, who will ultimately save us, who can articulate, educate, defy, insist, sing, and shout the big dreams. Only the artists can turn “Not-Yet” into reality. -Leonard Bernstein

Jenny MaClay always knew that she wanted to be a soloist. She had a passion for playing clarinet and expressed it by playing in the Sparkman Band. In between her honors classes, music competitions, and trips with the band, Jenny practiced two to three hours a day and began to turn her “Not-Yet” into reality.

The debut of MaClay’s solo career began at the age 15. During her sophomore year, the band preformed “Entry March of the Boyars” by Johan Halvorsen. The piece featured a clarinet solo which Jenny had the opportunity to perform. The composition remains a favorite of MaClay’s along with “Capriccio Espagnol,” another piece with a significant clarinet solo. “I also competed in several solo competitions, All State Band and Orchestra, regional honor bands, and performance opportunities outside of Sparkman. I was definitely a proud bank geek,” said MaClay. Jenny continually achieved musical awards and made Sparkman history by becoming the first band member to win the Alabama All-State Super Solo competition.

Jenny moved on to attend University of Florida, where she actively preformed in ensembles and became the first musician to ever be professionally recorded on an A-flat clarinet. After college, MaClay began to work for Vandoren, a popular music company and play exclusively on Buffet clarinets. She preforms several times a year as a soloist and an ensemble member. Aside from her performances, she travels often to interview other successful musicians and give clinics to groups of aspiring musicians.

Jenny MaClay credits her success to working hard and those who have inspired her. She encourages those who want to pursue their passions and draws her inspiration from Bernstein words, “Find out what you can do well, uniquely well- that’s what studying is for, to find out what you can do particularly well. You. Unique. And then do it for all you’re worth.”