Why I Chose Backun
"The first time I played a Backun CG Carbon (which was Jose Franch-Ballester's instrument by the way!) I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. It was easily the best clarinet I had ever played. Many years passed and I still could not stop thinking about it. I knew I had to have one. When the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance and never looked back!"
About
Brendan Toohey is an Australian professional clarinettist and is currently a full-time member of the Royal Australian Air Force Band based in Melbourne.
Originally from Brisbane, Brendan holds a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours from the Queensland Conservatorium where he studied with the Associate Principal clarinettist of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Brian Catchlove. In 2011, Brendan won the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra Mozart Concerto Competition, the Queensland Clarinet and Saxophone Society competition before also winning first prize in the Australian Clarinet and Saxophone conference competition in Melbourne. In 2012, Brendan moved to Melbourne and completed a Master of Arts degree in clarinet performance at Monash University studying with fellow Backun artist, David Griffiths. Brendan has performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, Melbourne Opera and many other professional ensembles throughout Victoria and Queensland. Brendan has previously been a casual lecturer in instrumental music pedagogy at Deakin University and is the conductor of the Victorian Clarinet and Saxophone Society clarinet ensemble.
