Bill Kirkley, A.D., is a versatile orchestral musician, recitalist, chamber performer, and educator whose playing has been described as “emotional, committed, and intensely exciting” (Boston Globe) and “a musician in total command of his instrument” (Boston Musical Intelligencer). He has performed in renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Symphony Hall Boston, and the Royal Albert Hall.

As a principal clarinetist, Bill plays with the Lexington Symphony (co-founder), Cape Ann Symphony, and the Albany Symphony, where he is also solo bass clarinetist. He frequently performs with the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, Boston Ballet, and New York City Ballet. A sought-after concerto soloist, he has appeared with the North Arkansas Symphony, Mesquite Symphony, North Shore Philharmonic, Gordon Symphony, and Cape Ann Symphony.

Dedicated to chamber and contemporary music, Bill is the clarinetist for Triage Woodwind Ensemble, Boston Musica Viva, and bass clarinetist for Improbable Beasts, North America’s premier professional bass clarinet ensemble. He has collaborated with leading composers, including Joan Tower, Gunther Schuller, and John Harbison. His recording of Bernard Hoffer’s Camarata IV, a concerto for clarinets written for him, was released in 2020 to critical acclaim. Bill has recorded extensively on labels such as Albany, Naxos, and Centaur and is featured on the Grammy-winning recording of John Corigliano’s Conjurer with Evelyn Glennie.

An experienced educator, Bill serves on the music faculties of Gordon College, Berklee College of Music, the College of the Holy Cross, and Groton Hill Music. His performances have been heard on WGBH Boston, the BBC, and even in SimCity BuildIt!

Bill studied at the University of Arkansas, Northwestern University, and Southern Methodist University with esteemed teachers Robert Marcellus, Anthony Gigliotti, and Robert Umiker.