Monte Morgenstern (clarinet) is a forceful presence on the New York music scene as a performer on all the instruments of the clarinet family. He has been principal clarinetist of the Julius Grossman Orchestra, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and, since 1971, the Bronx Opera and Orchestra of the Bronx. Mr. Morgenstern has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, principal clarinetist or section member of the Orchestra of St. Lukes, New York City Ballet, Goldovsky Opera, and various Broadway musicals. He has been on broadcasts from the Caramoor Music Festival, Live from Lincoln Center, WQXR, WFUV, and WBAI in New York. In recent years he has also performed with the Bronx Arts Ensemble, Columbia Festival Orchestra, Greenwich Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Leigh Valley Chamber Orchestra and the Washington Square Music Festival. Recent concerto performances included Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto with the Bronx Symphony.

Arranging and writing music has been another of Monte’s interests for several decades. These have included many arrangements for winds, and trios for clarinet, cello and piano. The latter was a result of Serio Divertimenti’s original configuration as a trio. The premiere of his New Orleans Trio (for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon), took place in October 2005 at a benefit concert in Teaneck, NJ for the victims of the Gulf Coast Hurricanes of 2005.

Mr. Morgenstern is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. He has recorded for the Angel/EMI, Music Masters, Elektra/Nonesuch, and Deutsche Grammophon labels.