Grateful

Posted on April 15, 2025 by singerclarinet

I have said this before but it more than deserves repeating – I did not achieve my success in life without many nurturing, loving people helping me along every step of the way.

My first motivation in music

Looking back, I remember the first girl I tried very hard to impress back in fifth grade and her name was Amarie Rockey. If she had not entered a certain talent contest at Sunny Brae Elementary School, I might have never learned any instrument and my life would have gone in a completely different direction.

Thanks, Dad

From the beginning, I gained much of my boldness from my father. I still remember my dad’s audacious phone call to Professor Jettel, then the principal clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmonic. After one minute on the phone, he asked Prof. Jettel if he would give me clarinet lessons. In baseball terms my father might as well have called Sandy Koufax, Hall of Fame Pitcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers, to teach me to become a more successful pitcher!

Rudolf Serkin

I think also of Rudolf Serkin, one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, who became the Director of the Curtis Institute of Music after my first year there. Mr. Serkin was responsible for many steps forward in my life, providing me (actually providing ALL the students at Curtis) opportunities in chamber music which for me led to the formation of the Aulos Wind Quintet – we won the Naumburg Competition in NYC. Winning the Naumburg Competition (with the Emerson Quartet, 1978) enabled us to commission John Harbison to write his now famous “Quintet.” Then came the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and eventually Grammy Awards, along with 70 recordings for Deutsche Grammophon.

Unique opportunity

Mr. Serkin also invited me to the Marlboro Music Festival where we performed and recorded a Max Reger Sonata together. Mr Serkin could have recorded with any clarinetist in the world, yet he chose me. It is difficult to imagine how I would have had the same opportunities of performing with the greatest musicians at both the Marlboro Music Festival and in NYC without Mr. Serkin’s guiding presence and influence.

Love matters

I am grateful for Barbara Greco, wife and dear friend from childhood, who brought so much love, comfort, happiness and security to my life at a time when I desperately needed it, until her passing in 2017. Today, I am so blessed to be with my wife, Barb Thorne Singer, who has been my rock in so many ways. Barb is my Go-To in all matters regarding From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall and has been a kind and loving partner who continues to make my life and future something worth looking forward to. I strive to be as good a husband for her.

It takes a village

I also want to thank Deryn Riggs for his talents assisting and inspiring me with ideas writing my blog. With his partner, Laura Singer (my daughter!) I want to thank you both for continuing to create opportunities for me and us to reach a bigger audience. Laura, thanks also for your great work on the website!

I appreciate the time and energy that we have, with Barb and my sister, Deborah, working together on this labor of love. More about Deborah at a later time.

Space does not allow me to mention everyone who has made a difference in my life, but here is a partial list of dear friends and family who have been an inspiration and have helped me, especially emotionally, through some very tough times. These dear family and friends appear in no particular order: Ellen Faulk, Sharon Darnov, Allen Darnov, Morrie Darnov, Norman Sadofsky, Lisa Febre, Rodney Punt, Heidi Lehwalder, Hans Boepple, Arthur van Gelder, Brian Feinblum, Alexis Humes, Betty Oberacker.

David Singer

David Singer, Grammy Award-Winning Professional Musician for 55 years
Author of “From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall“
www.singerclarinet.com
Blog updated frequently

Click here to view the last blog entry, “To find more joy, choose a passion project”

To find more joy, choose a passion project

Posted on April 1, 2025 by singerclarinet

Dear Everyone,
Who, out there is involved with a project right now? Thinking about it, probably everyone reading this is involved with something they have to do. There are always projects to be done like paying taxes, cleaning house or doing a home improvement, although the latter can be joyous.

Writing From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall was and is a passion project for me. You give almost everything you have emotionally, financially – day in, day out, sick or well, tired or awake, grumpy or elated – to keep moving forward. Some days are better than others, and that is putting it mildly.

I remember many joys and highlights in my life. Hopefully there are many high points and satisfying moments yet to come. I also remember all the auditions I lost, I remember having to say
good bye to someone I loved because I could not find employment as a musician in the country where she found a job as an opera singer. I remember playing for the President and the same day going back to NYC and driving my cab.

Through it all, I am glad I decided to commit to this passion project of writing my memoir, From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall. Perhaps what I am trying to say in this too long ‘scribble scrabble’ is that every project, every job can be challenging. Each of us has challenges every day that we must take care of. I guess these are what we call “have – to’s”.

What I am suggesting is, how about choosing a passion project to get involved with. That kind of project can be to find a new job, a new hobby, a new group of friends. Of course you can write a book. Everyone has a story to tell!

A new project can be to learn how to dance, with or without a partner, or to volunteer for a cause.

A new project can lift you up. It can change your life for the better.

Writing From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall has already begun to open up new possibilities in my life.

PS. Writing all this I am aware of many who have had and are still experiencing so many more life challenges than I ever had to deal with, to stay alive.

Each of you are involved with your passion projects and I admire you more each day for your dedication to life.

David Singer

David Singer, Grammy Award-Winning Professional Musician for 55 years
Author of “From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall“
www.singerclarinet.com
Blog updated frequently

Click here to view the last blog entry: “Happy Single Parent’s Day!!!”

Happy Single Parent’s Day!!!

Posted on March 20, 2025 by singerclarinet

How many of you know what March 21st is? Turns out that it is National Single Parent’s Day. Don’t worry, I also did not know.

In my opinion, given the years I had raising my daughter, Laura, as a single parent, celebrating Single Parent’s Day is a big deal.

I am so grateful for every day that I was able to spend with my daughter when she was growing up. I fought legally to retain custody of Laura, and was lucky enough to avoid a legal battle with her mother, Heidi. Instead, we were able to come to an arrangement that put Laura in my care – from Laura’s Kindergarden years at “The Niche” in Seattle, until she finished sixth grade in Brooklyn at PS 29. I loved the years Laura and I had together.

Somehow, in caring for Laura I was more grounded in also taking care of myself. Becoming more careful with money and making sure to provide love and support for my daughter on a daily basis provided me with a real framework to also take cake care of myself.

Leaving Seattle during the summer of 1986, our first home in New York City was with Cousins Allen and Avima, in their apartment by Columbia University. Each day I looked for and eventually found an apartment in a busy, yet very colorful and even pleasant neighborhood in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. This was near a great elementary school where Laura’s friends’ names were Sameep, Iqbal, Jazz, as well as Chloe, Emily and Rebecca. I loved that Laura’s school was like the United Nations. I also liked very much being there, every day and night for my daughter.

I remember her birthday parties; sleep-overs really where Laura invited several of her friends over with their their sleeping bags. Late at night it was so cute to have bundles of blankets spread all over her bedroom floor and I can still hear them all giggling the night away.

Each year, in coordination with her teacher, I remember surprising Laura when it was her birthday. At some point during a school day, I used to just show up and suddenly burst into her classroom with a birthday cake, enough for all, as we sang Happy Birthday! Other times I also remember freezing with the other parents standing outside by the skating rink watching our children ice skate together.

During the time Laura was with me, those six years in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, I felt needed. Caring for her gave me a purpose, a direction in my own life.

I am eternally grateful to my family; Cousins Allen and Avima, for providing a home for Laura and me when we first arrived in New York City, as well as my Aunt Sylvia who was able and willing to take Laura in during those evenings when I had a rehearsal or performance. My parents also played a key role in our lives, visiting us on occasion from Los Angeles to help out when needed.

Looking back on my almost 76 years on this planet I have come to the conclusion that there are not too many moments of satisfaction more fulfilling than making the best of a challenging situation as a single parent and helping my child not just subsist and have an ok life, but to thrive.

I love re-reading parts of my book, From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall. A few of the chapters detail my time with Laura in Brooklyn. Many experiences still bring a tear to my eye, and I will never be anything but grateful for her presence in my life.

Happy Single Parent’s Day. My very best wishes and respect are with each of you who make a difference in your child’s life every day and every night.

David Singer

David Singer, Grammy Award-Winning Professional Musician for 55 years
Author of “From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall“
www.singerclarinet.com
Blog updated frequently

Click here to view the last blog entry: “How Do I Stay Active As I Get Older?”