Orlando Youth Clarinet Choir
The ”Orlando Youth Clarinet Choir also called the “OYCC” is a 100 member ensemble made up exclusively of high school and middle school students from the Central Florida area. The choir features a variety of clarinets including the Contra-Alto Clarinet and the Eb clarinet. Our ensemble is complimented by a String Bass and Percussion section. We play a variety of genres ranging from orchestral transcriptions, to jazz, and concert band music.
Directed by Charles Hafner
Director: Charles Hafner
Charles Hafner is currently the Band Director at Southwest Middle School in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Hafner received his B.A. degree in Music from Rollins College and studied clarinet under Patrick Graham and Erik Cole. At his previous school, Mr. Hafner has led the instrumental music program at his school to 250 students, which is close to a third of the total student population. He also taught marching band at Edgewater High School. He has had many experiences playing clarinet with various ensembles, orchestras, and musical productions, including the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park Orchestra. A product of OCPS schools, he is proud to serve the community and provide musical opportunities for all students in the community.
Assistant Director: Cesar Lengua-Miranda
Cesar Lengua-Miranda has played clarinet at a professional level for over 14 years from church performances, all-state performances, college jazz band performances, open mics, and professional recordings. His favorite clarinet player is Benny Goodman, specifically his performance of Clarinet Concerto written by Aaron Copland. Cesar enjoys long-tones on the beach and playing through all 36 minor scales, 4 diminished scales, whole-tone, be-bop scales when he is bored. Cesar enjoys listening to Eric Dolphy on Bass clarinet.