Stanley Drucker
Clarinetist | 2012Born in Brooklyn in 1929, Stanley Drucker began clarinet studies at age ten with Leon Russianoff, his principal teacher, and later attended the High School of Music and Art and The Curtis Institute of Music. He was appointed principal clarinetist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at age 16, of the Adolf Busch Chamber Players at age 17, and of the Buffalo Philharmonic at age 18. At the conclusion of the 2008/2009 season of the New York Philharmonic, Drucker celebrated 60 years as a member of the orchestra and became an honorary member of the Philharmonic Society of New York, the first orchestral musician so honored. The Philharmonic estimates that Drucker has performed in 10,200 concerts—approximately 70 percent of the total number of their concerts since 1842. He was principal clarinetist for a record 48 years, making close to 200 appearances as a soloist and chamber musician with the orchestra. He played under nine music directors and has performed in 60 countries on tour. Twice nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist/Classical with Orchestra, Drucker is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as “Longest Career as a Clarinetist.”