Why I Chose Backun
I first played on a Backun Clarinet in 2011, and I've been smitten ever since. The playability, intonation, resonance, and overall build quality of Backun Clarinets, Bass Clarinets, and Accessories are second-to-none, and I am proud to be a member of Team Backun.
About
Brian Schappals is a clarinetist, composer, educator, and founding member of The Winds5 Wind Quintet, a two-time American Prize finalist. He serves as principal clarinetist of Northwest Symphony Orchestra and an active freelance musician in the greater Seattle area. He's performed with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Modern Orchestra, Emerald Ballet Academy Orchestra, Inverted Space Ensemble, Seattle Collaborative Orchestra, Saratoga Orchestra, The Sound Ensemble, Bellingham Chamber Chorale, among others.
As a recording artist, Brian has appeared on two studio albums: On the 5th Day of Christmas with The Winds5 Wind Quintet and an unreleased recording of Harry Partch’s original version of The Bewitched with the Harry Partch Ensemble.
Brian is also an active composer and serves as an Adjunct Faculty of Music Composition at Whitworth University. His concerto for clarinet and mixed ensemble, light…pale and angered, earned him finalist recognition in the Professional Division of the American Prize in Wind Ensemble Composition. He has received multiple commissions, including works for the Whitworth Symphony Orchestra under Dr. Philip Baldwin and an independent film score created in collaboration with filmmaker Emily Ganguly. He is also an active arranger for The Winds5 Wind Quintet.
Brian holds a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from the University of Washington and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Clarinet Performance and Music Composition from Whitworth University. His primary teachers include Benjamin Lulich, Del Hungerford, and Brent Edstrom.
Beyond performing, teaching, composing, and enjoying daily espresso, Brian serves as the Online Sales and Marketing Coordinator for Backun Musical Services and Laskey Mouthpieces.
