Get to know the members of the Salem Symphonic Winds through this series of mini-interviews! Don’t miss hearing all of the Salem Symphonic Winds musicians perform April 13, 2025 at 4:00pm during our world premiere of The Princess and the Wind.

Patrice DeRoest

Patrice plays the clarinet and has been with playing with Salem Symphonic Winds since January 1995.

Patrice DeRoest has been a clarinetist for 49 years. She majored in Music Education at Oregon State University, studying clarinet under Dr. David Eiseman and Dr. Michael Curtis, and graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1988. She taught in Oregon public schools for 10 years as a classroom music teacher and band director. She left the teaching field in 1998 to raise a family. She has played clarinet with Salem Symphonic Winds since 1995. She has also performed with the Ventus Woodwind Quintet since 2019. She was a music librarian for SSW for about 15 years, and is currently on their board in the role of secretary. Her pastimes including knitting, word puzzles, and decorating for the seasons. Her husband David is the orchestra director at Judson Middle School.

What do you enjoy the most about playing?

I get to connect with my fellow musicians and our audience on a deep level; a level where we find ourselves lifted and nourished.

Do you have a favorite musical memory?

I grew up in Ashland, Oregon. Listening to the Ashland City Band's weekly summer concerts in Lithia Park was always a hugely fun family outing!

Share a fun fact about yourself

When I first signed up for band in grade school, I REALLY wanted to play the trumpet! But, I was given the choice of the two instruments stored in the hall closet, which my older siblings had played: flute or clarinet. I had a big hankering to play Dixieland jazz, so I chose the clarinet! Since then, I've had several opportunities to play Dixieland jazz, but also a great deal of other amazing music!

What is on your Spotify playlist or in your music library?

Soon to purchase: "Remembrance" by Chick Corea and Bela Fleck (album), and "Air and Simple Gifts" with Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman (single). I also have a ton of David Benoit!