Clarinet/ Saxophone

He has won International auditions and played principal clarinet with the Rishon orchestra in Israel (where he was offered tenure) and the the Banff opera orchestra as well as Philharmonia west and the Kelowna Pops orchestra amongst others. He was accepted into Banff as an Artist in residence and into the Banff and Sarasota (Florida) festivals. He has performed chamber music and solo recitals with many of the finest musicians, including Jasper Wood, Shauna Rolston, Arnold Draper, George Zuckerman, Hans Nygaard... He is principal clarinet with the Prince George Symphony.

Simon studied with Emilio Iacurto at McGill, an Italian clarinetist of the Bel canto school of playing and with Tom Telamantes. He also played in the master classes of many great clarinetists including Frank Cohen, Michele Zukovsky, Stanley Hasty, Robert Marcellus and Allen Hacker and studied with Micheal Doumachel and Bob Crowley of the MSO. His first clarinet  teacher was Joan Riley in high school. He started playing professionally while still in high school as the principal clarinet in several opera orchestras. His first instrument was the recorder which he started in grade 2, by grade 3 was teaching it to other classes. He has now been teaching for over 50 years.

His Solo CD The Art of Melody, which was the first classical CD to ever come out of Prince George has been distributed around the world and played on the CBC.

He regularly appears as a soloist outside Prince George at chamber music festivals, for concert associations, on tour and  was a soloist at the International clarinet festival, he has performed most of the major concertos (in over 60 appearances) for clarinet with orchestra from Mozart to Nielsen.

What the critics say about his playing:

"The Clarinet Concerto in A Major K. 622 was the perfect opportunity to showcase the instrument and the superb musical talent of Simon Cole.
This is an example of hearing orchestra and soloist enter into a musical conversation. Played in three movements, the music seems familiar by dint of its survival since 1791 and because of its association with movies like Out of Africa and, more recently, The King’s Speech. Understandably popular, this pretty, appealing music affords an opportunity for the clarinet to stand out and be truly appreciated for its dulcet tones. Particularly during the adagio, there was a reassuring sense of serenity in the notes.
The sweet clarinet sound led the orchestra through the movement. \"V.Gilles Citizen(2011)

appreciative standing ovation acknowledging Cole\'s interpretation (Mozart clarinet concerto)
 Giles Citizen (2005)

[clarinetist Simon] Cole and [flutist Don] Bond brought to the audience a most amazing tribute to Fryderyk Chopin, composed by Canadian Ronald Royer
Free Press

"Spectacular arrangements" Michael Hall conductor

Composer.

I consider myself to be a self taught composer. I use my many years of orchestra and chamber music playing (I have been a working professionally as a clarinetist since the age of 15) and much study to inform my compositional style. I had the usual formal musician training but it deserves no credit for the musician I am today.

I believe music should speak to the time it is composed in, that it should even in it's darkest moments have beauty and that it need not depend on superficial effect.

I live and travel by choice in the Northern part of BC it's landscapes, history and spirit are a great influence on my work.

Most of my works receive repeat performances.

My latest performed works (2013-2023) include:

• A Northern suite ( this was originally the score to an animated movie) for chamber orchestra. 20 min
• PG places a series of chamber pieces depicting places in the downtown of Prince George. 15 min
• Trio on northern themes for violin clarinet and piano 20 min CMC BC Head Librarian Stefan Hintersteininger  (a dazzling and virtuosic Trio on Northern Themes),
• Score for Canfor interactive exhibit \"The air we share\"
•  Homestead  20 min
• Birth of a City 2016 20min
• Dark Forest 2016 performed by the Toronto Symphony
• The Return 2022
• 9 arrangements for singer songwriters 2023 described as Stunning, Epic, spectacular....
• I LOVE IT!!!!! I feel like John Wayne in My Country! Great job Simon! Sounds soooo huge and fun 
• “We then handed over some original song recordings to Simon Cole for arranging. He did a wonderful job putting together giant orchestrated arrangements to take the songs where they have never gone before,” said van Zanten.
• When I look at the musicians and I listen to the arrangements that were sent to me by Simon (Cole, clarinetist, composer) and I can hear my song in there, it’s huge. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years and in this situation I kind of feel like a new budding musician amongst all this amazingness. To be able to amplify the messages in my songs, I think is what I’m most excited about.”

 Earlier:  

I was awarded a major commission to compose One Song Universus. Canada council awarded the pgso a grant to tour with it and in 2010 the BC government recognizing the importance of this work awarded a $50,000 grant to form an entire festival around it. It has also been played 32 times on tour in it's quartet version. Other performed orchestral works include: The Irish symphony 1798 , My Dog overture,  Music for Social occasions, Rhapsody for clarinet, Adagio for clarinet and strings, Chamber symphony. I have also composed a number of chamber works and pieces for students .

 My orchestral work Kalinnisky Duff was recorded by the late great conductor Georg Tintner

I performed my Rhapsody for clarinet and piano as guest soloist for the International Clarinet Association.

My compositions  have been broadcast Provincially and Nationally on CBC.

Listen to my music