Meet the Faculty
Kay Gainacopulos
(920) 424-2274
gainaco@uwosh.edu
D.M., M.M., B.M.E.; is a Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh where he teaches clarinet, saxophone, and is the director of the Music Business Program. He has performed as Principal Clarinetist with the Honolulu Symphony, the Australian Ballet, the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the 5th and 7th U.S. Army Bands, and as the lead Alto Saxophonist with the Jan Garber Orchestra. He was the first recipient of the Doctorate of Music degree in Saxophone Performance from Indiana University. Previous teaching positions include the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire; Whitman College; the College of St. Teresa and St. Norbert's College. Dr. Gainacopulos is known for his work and appearances as the former conductor of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Wind Ensemble, the Northeastern Wisconsin Honors Band (N.E.W.), and for his numerous appearances as a guest clinician/soloist and remains active as a recitalist on both the clarinet and saxophone. In the summer of 2000, he toured Scandinavia and Russia as clarinet soloist with the Lakeshore Wind Ensemble. He has served as a clinician for the G. Leblanc Corporation and as a regional clinician for Yamaha Corporation of America. In 1994 he founded the Searl Pickett Saxophone Quartet (SPSQ) which performs regularly throughout Wisconsin. In 1998, the SPSQ completed a double CD for the Wisconsin State Music Educators Association containing the entire completed list for saxophone quartet. In addition to teaching and performing, Dr. Gainacopulos has served on the Board of Directors for the Fond du Lac Jazz Festival since 1992, and has served as President of the organization for four years. He has been on the Executive Board of the NAMM Affiliated Music Business Institutions (NAMBI) since 1999 and served as President from 2001-03, and is currently serving as Immediate Past President. In 1996, Dr. Gainacopulos organized a series of chamber music concerts entitled "The Searl Picket Chamber Music Series" and continues to serve as music director for the series. His former mentors include saxophonist Eugene Rousseau, and clarinetists Clark Brody, Ignatius Gennusa, Bernard Portnoy, and Searl Pickett.