Dr. Barbara Specht is an active clarinetist, conductor and researcher. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bowling Green State University, and a doctoral degree in clarinet from The Ohio State University. At Heidelberg, she teaches applied clarinet and saxophone, woodwind methods, directs the University Orchestra and is clarinetist and manager of the Heidelberg Faculty Woodwind Quintet.
Besides teaching in the School of Music, Dr. Specht is also a member of the Honors Program, serving as instructor of the Women in Music Honors Seminar. This research has resulted in performances, both on and off campus, of Clarinet Music by Women Composers, and her lecture recitals on that topic have been presented at the Women in the Performing Arts Conference and at the College Music Society. She has also performed chamber music concerts with Heidelberg faculty, that were broadcast on WGTE-FM 91.
As director of the orchestra, Dr. Specht has conducted Heidelberg's annual Messiah, Opera Theater, young people's concerts and student and faculty concerto performances. She is also the music director of the Perrysburg Symphony where audiences have enjoyed innovative and diverse programming under her baton. Performances at Owens Community College Fine and Performing Arts Center have included Heidelberg faculty and alumni in soloist and orchestral performances.
As clinician, Dr. Specht has presented at the Ohio Music Educators Conference, the College Music Society and the International Clarinet Association conferences. She also chaired the committee for the revision of the OMEA Solo and Ensemble competition list for clarinet. In 2006 and 2012 she was the guest conductor of the OMEA District I Honors Orchestra performing at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo, Ohio.
