Biography

Currently, Calvin Falwell holds the 3rd/Bass Clarinet chair with Sarasota Orchestra in Sarasota, FL and is on faculty at the University of South Florida. During the summer months can be found performing with the Colorado Music Festival and Charlottesville Opera Festival.

As an orchestral musician Calvin held positions with Sarasota Opera Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Calvin has also appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, Florida Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic and Pittsburgh Opera among others. Additionally, Calvin has toured internationally with the Hollywood Concert Orchestra. Former faculty appointments include The College of New Jersey, Holy Family University, Wilmington University, Hartwick College Music Festival, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and AMEROPA Chamber Music Festival.

His principal teachers and mentors include Paul Demers, Ron Samuels, Tim Zavadil and Dallas Tidwell.

Get to know Calvin Falwell


Hometown: Murray, KY

First year with Sarasota Orchestra: 2014

Instrument: Calvin is both a Buffet Group USA and D'Addario Woodwind Performing Artist and performs exclusively on Buffet clarinet and D'Addario reeds.

Education: Bachelor of Music – University of Louisville; Master of Music – Duquesne University; Finishing PhD. at Columbia University.

Career Highlights: Some of Calvin's favorite musical achievements include:

  • Commissioning and recording multiple works for the bass clarinet that are now considered core parts of the repertoire. Winning a job in a professional orchestra.
  • Teaching at a major research university.
  • Performing next to my mentor in the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Passions and Interests: Cycling! Calvin loves racing gravel and Cyclocross for Team Outspokin in Tampa, FL. He also loves traveling the world with his family and making sure his son has been to all the National Parks.

Sarasota Orchestra, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been serving the region since 1949.
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Administrative Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30 pm
Summer Hours (July - Labor Day):
Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Administrative Phone

Box Office Hours

Monday - Friday 10AM - 4PM*
Also open at the concert venue one hour prior to showtime.
*Closed late June through Labor Day. Phone and email support available during administrative hours.

Box Office Phone

709 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL, 34236

[email protected]

Sarasota Orchestra is committed to making our performances and facilities accessible to everyone in our community.
All of the Orchestra’s facilities are accessible to persons using wheelchairs.
Assistive listening devices are available for all Orchestra performances.
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