David Cook

Critically praised for “brilliant and stunning” performances, “terrific virtuosic playing,” and “a fine sense of drama,” David Cook is Associate Professor of Clarinet and Chair of Instrumental Performance Studies at Millikin University. He also serves as Principal Clarinet of the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly with the Appian Duo and Greyline Duo. Previously, Dr. Cook was a member of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lieurance Woodwind Quintet, and Fiati Five. He has also appeared with ensembles including the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the Texas Music Festival Orchestra.

An active chamber musician and advocate for contemporary music, Dr. Cook has performed with Chamber Music Campania, the Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble, and the From the Edge Chamber Music Series. He has commissioned and premiered works by composers including David Maslanka, Pierre Jalbert, David Biedenbender, Whitney E. George, Cody W. Forrest, Cody Criswell, Garrett Gillingham, and Andy Francis. His performances and research presentations have appeared at the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest®, the College Music Society National Conference, the American Single Reed Summit, and the KNOB New Music Festival, as well as in recital appearances throughout the United States and abroad. His book, Clarinet Conditioning: Warm-Ups and Perspectives, published by Conway Publications, features contributions from prominent clarinetists and has been praised as “insightful, thorough, comprehensive” and “an incredibly valuable resource for clarinetists.” His research has appeared in Clarinet, NACWPI Journal, and Instrumentalist.

Dr. Cook teaches applied clarinet, chamber music, clarinet pedagogy, and clarinet methods at Millikin University, where he received the university’s Research and Artistic Achievement Award in 2023. He previously served on the faculty of Wichita State University and the University of Oklahoma, and currently serves as Programming Coordinator for the American Single Reed Summit. A native of Michigan, he received Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Central Michigan University, Master of Music degrees from the University of Michigan, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma. His principal teachers include Suzanne Tirk, Chad Burrow, Theodore Oien, and Kennen White. Dr. Cook is a Buffet Crampon USA Performing Artist and a member of the Silverstein Works PRO Team.