I was very excited to be named an “Ambassador of Italian Music’ for my recording and performances of works by Nunzio Ortolano. My original project of finding music by composers from Mexico led me to many internet searches. On one of them I “discovered” the music of Nunzio Ortolano, and decided I had to record and perform it. Thankfully Wicky and Ortolano agreed and I performed U.S. Premieres of three of his works, two of which are recorded and the third is on its way. Oriental Studio and Romanza are available for internet download at iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and many other digital platforms. Mike Cavin
As a critically acclaimed clarinetist, Mike enjoys a rich and varied career as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. In New York City he has been featured in many venues from Lincoln Center to Park Concerts on Long Island. Including Radio City Music Hall, and Man of La Mancha and Over Here on Broadway. In the public schools he was with the Orchestra da Camera, and Young Audiences giving lecture/concerts in NY Public Schools.
His Carnegie Hall Debut Recital earned him a rave review from the New York times.
“Cavin is the complete clarinetist… Not only was his technical proficiency untaxed in a long and strenuous performance, but in each work he went well beyond mere craft… Intonation was excellent, and a wide range of dynamic shadings provided contracts… He achieves in his playing such a pleasing balance between singing and dancing.” Donal Henahan, NY Times
Soloist performances took him around the world, as a soloista at the IV Festival International de Onoco in Matamoros, the Orquesta Sinfonica de San Luis Potosi, the OSIJUG Orchestra in Guadalajara, Auditorium Museo Nazionale dell’Internato Ignoto in Italy and recital halls in La Paz and La Chapala Mexico. In Padova Italy, Mike competed in 6 Concorso International di Escevuzione Musical “Premio Citta and earned three Diplomas di Partecipazione and a medallion for Performances.
Mike toured across the United States as Principal clarinetist with world-renowned orchestras of The American Ballet Theater, The Metropolitan Opera National Company, The Harkness Ballet, and Le Grand Ballet Classique de France. Mike also played with noted Texas ensembles including: The Houston Festival Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera, and The Brazos Valley Symphony. He was a featured soloist for the U.S. Navy Band and Orchestra, Washington, D.C.,
Cavin is on the Artist Roster for Backun Musical Services, Legere Reeds, and Melhart Music, McAllen, Tx.
He earned a Doctor of Music degree in clarinet performance from Indiana University and taught at I.U. for five years and at Sam Houston State University for six years. Mike shared his expertise to his students, just as his clarinet teachers Anthony Gigliotti, Bernard Portnoy, Harold Wright, Kalmen Opperman, and Ricardo Morales, shared with him.