Friday, November 13, 10:00 am
10:00 am - 11:30 am
FREE EVENT
Step behind the scenes and onto the stage with Arizona Musicfest’s own Dr. Patrick Murphy, Director of Concert Operations, and Operations Manager, Dr. Caitlin Poupard, for a captivating lecture-performance that reveals the fascinating history and artistry of the saxophone and clarinet. While many audience members know Patrick and Caitlin for their leadership behind the scenes, this special event offers the rare opportunity to experience them in their original roles as accomplished performers and educators, each holding a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in their respective instruments. Through engaging stories, historical insights, and live musical demonstrations, they’ll explore the unique evolution and expressive possibilities of these beloved woodwind instruments before showcasing their artistry in solo performances. The program concludes with a collaborative finale, celebrating the remarkable musical partnership between the clarinet and saxophone. Whether you’re a lifelong music lover or simply curious about the stories behind the sounds, this entertaining and informative presentation promises an unforgettable morning of music, history, and discovery.
Getting Here
Instructors
Patrick Murphy
Patrick Murphy (saxophone) is currently the Director of Concert Operations at Arizona Musicfest. Previously, he served as Theater Manager at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix and on the faculty of the Crane School of Music, State University of New York, College at Potsdam. He completed his doctorate from Arizona State University in 2013, and holds degrees from The University of Michigan, and the Crane School of Music. He has studied saxophone with Timothy McAllister, Donald Sinta, and Eric Lau and composition with David Heinick. He has performed throughout North and South America with tours spanning Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Arizona, Ecuador and Peru. He was the last saxophonist to perform with the New World Symphony in The Lincoln Theater, and the first saxophonist to perform in the Frank Gehry-designed New World Center. Most recently, he performed with the Chicago Symphony in their presentation of Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights.
Caitlin Poupard
Dr. Caitlin Poupard is a performer, educator, scholar, and arts administrator whose career spans
orchestral performance, higher education, ensemble conducting, and arts leadership. She actively
performs as a substitute clarinetist with The Phoenix Symphony, where she has appeared on
principal, second, E-flat clarinet, and E-flat clarinet soloist since 2017, in addition to performing
with Arizona Musicfest’s Festival Orchestra in 2025. A longtime member of the Arizona
Musicfest family, she now serves as the organization’s Operations Manager, overseeing the large
volunteer program and serving as House Manager for Musicfest’s mainstage concerts, in addition
to various other administrative roles.
Dr. Poupard holds Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in
Clarinet Performance from Arizona State University. She has pursued and continues to pursue
advanced study with internationally acclaimed clarinetist, pedagogue, and mentor, Yehuda Gilad,
in the United States and Europe. Before joining Arizona Musicfest full time, she taught
collegiately for many years at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, South Mountain
Community College, and Arizona State University, while also maintaining one of the Phoenix
area’s largest private clarinet studios, mentoring students of all ages and abilities. Her students
were amongst the best, regularly placing first in many competitions throughout the state of
Arizona. Her performing career has also included concerto appearances, collaborations with
distinguished artists, and performances with some of Arizona’s leading ensembles. Whether on
stage or behind the scenes, Dr. Poupard is passionate about advancing the performing arts and
sharing the power of live music with audiences and communities.