Burt Hara, clarinet

Burt Hara has served as principal clarinet of the Minnesota Orchestra since 1987. In 1996, Wolfgang Sawallisch appointed Mr. Hara to be principal clarinet of the Philadelphia Orchestra, but after one year, he chose to return to Minneapolis. A former principal of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in Birmingham, Mr. Hara has also performed as principal clarinet of the Saint Louis Symphony and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. In addition, Mr. Hara has performed as soloist with the orchestras in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. A faculty member of the University of Minnesota and the Aspen Music Festival and School, Mr. Hara is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music.