European Clarinet Association facts for kids
The European Clarinet Association (ECA) is a special group that brings together people who play the clarinet from many different countries across Europe. It helps them connect, share ideas, and work together.
How the ECA Started
The idea for the European Clarinet Association began in 2009. At that time, many clarinet players from Europe were at a big event called ClarinetFest in Porto, Portugal. ClarinetFest is like a huge festival where clarinet players from all over the world meet, perform, and learn from each other.
During this festival, a group of European clarinetists decided it would be a great idea to create their own association. They wanted a way to stay in touch and support each other. So, they formed the ECA! Their first leaders, called the Board of Directors, included clarinetists from different parts of Europe. Matthias Müller from Zurich was chosen to lead this new group.
What the ECA Aims to Do
The European Clarinet Association has several important goals:
- Connect Clarinet Players: They want to help clarinet players and groups (called national clarinet societies) from different countries talk to each other more easily.
- Organize Fun Events: The ECA works with these national clarinet societies to plan and hold activities and events for clarinetists.
- Help New Groups Form: They encourage and help European countries that don't have their own clarinet societies to start one. They share their knowledge and experience to make this happen.
- Support Big Festivals: The ECA also helps the International Clarinet Association (ICA) organize ClarinetFests when they happen in Europe. The ICA is a much larger, worldwide group for clarinet players.
- Share News Online: They use social media, like Facebook, to share important news and information with everyone interested in the clarinet.
