is a Portland/ Oregon community-based organization dedicated to our love of playing clarinet together.
Barbara Heilmair, Director — Alex Christy, Assistant Director
John Gibson, Composer In-Residence
The ensemble consists of students, alumni, clarinet enthusiasts, and retired professional players, playing original compositions and arranged music in a variety of styles.
Has been broadcasted on the radio in the show “Played in Oregon” at All Classical Portland 89.9
Performed at the 2022 ICA ClarinetFest in Reno/ Nevada.
Clarinet Masquerade Waltz (2018)
Work for Clarinet Choir commissioned by Barbara Heilmair to be written for the Zephyr Clarinet Choir.
The idea for the piece was conceptualized by Barbara Heilmair and Nicole Buetti after they had a performance together of a midnight waltz that Nicole had composed for Portland’s annual Vampire Ball. The idea of a haunting piece for clarinet choir sparked the commission of this work for the Zephyr Clarinet Choir.
Premiere Performance: Portland State University, Lincoln Hall, 2019
A meditative work for 10 Clarinets in Bb and 2 Bass Clarinets.This composition was presented as a gift to Barbara Heilmair during the COVID-19 Pandemic, creating a silver lining of future performances for the Zephyr Clarinet Choir.