Living near: Richmond, VA USA
Clarinet Expertise: Professional, Reed Making, Orchestral Music
E-Mail: dnietham@richmond.edu

David Niethamer was appointed Principal Clarinetist of the Richmond Symphony in 1979. He has appeared twelve times as soloist, most recently for the world premiere of Allan Blank's Concerto, commissioned for Niethamer with funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Niethamer also won critical acclaim and national recognition for the American premiere performances of Andre Casanova's Ballade for Clarinet and String Orchestra during his first season with the orchestra.

In addition to his orchestral career, Niethamer has maintained a busy schedule of chamber music, recitals and teaching. He has performed at the Albemarle Festival with the Monticello Trio and the Brentano Quartet, with the Kandinsky Trio, the Composers Quartet, and the Lenox String Quartet. From 1982 until 1992, Niethamer was the Clarinetist and Artistic Director of the Roxbury Chamber Players. In 1994, he was named Artistic Director of the Richmond Chamber Players .

Niethamer performed at the 1990 ClarinetFest International in Quebec, at the 1988 joint conference of the International Clarinet Society and ClariNetwork International, and at ClarFest '86 in Towson, Maryland. He has played recitals throughout Virginia with Richmond Symphony Music Director George Manahan. An interest in the work of living composers has led to collaborations with Karel Husa, Gunther Schuller, and Ned Rorem. In Virginia, Niethamer has worked closely with Allan Blank , Judith Shatin , and Joel Suben. Niethamer's recordings are on the Opus One, MMC, and Elan labels.

Niethamer's teaching career has included two years as Visiting Lecturer of Clarinet and Chamber Music at Ithaca College. Niethamer has conducted Master Classes and workshops at Oberlin College, Tennessee Tech, University of Richmond, and the University of Alabama/Huntsville. He currently teaches at the University of Richmond .

Niethamer is married to the flutist Patricia Werrell. They have a daughter Terren.