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John D. Mohler was born October 30, 1929 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His earliest teachers include Joseph Leptich, clarinetist of the Lancaster Symphony and Salvadore Colangelo, Principal Clarinetist of the Harrisburg Symphony. After graduating from Litiz High School, Mohler continued his studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia studying under the tutelage of Ralph McLane, and served in the United State Marine Band and Orchestra for four years from 1950-1954 in Washington D.C. He received Bachelor of Music, Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance degrees from the University of Michigan under the study of William Stubbins. He served on the woodwind faculty at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, for two years before joining the University of Michigan School of Music faculty as an Assistant Professor of Clarinet and clarinetist in the University Woodwind Quintet in 1962. In addition to his faculty appointment as Professor of Clarinet, he served as the University of Michigan School of Music Wind and Percussion Instruments Department Chair from 1979-1994. In 1979, he received the Harold Haugh Award in Excellence and in 1986 received the University of Michigan School of Music Outstanding Studio Teacher Award. Mohler was also awarded the University of Michigan School of Music Alumni Society Citation of Merit in 1992. The John Mohler Clarinet Scholarship was endowed in 1993 to provide annual scholarships for students majoring in clarinet at the University of Michigan. Mohler retired from the University of Michigan in 1994 and the Regents awarded him Professor Emeritus of Music. In 2003, Mohler was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Clarinet Association. In 2012, Mohler was honored with the University of Michigan Band Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award. John Mohler maintains his role as mentor even in retirement and many of his students now hold teaching, performance, and university faculty positions across the country. His ongoing enthusiasm and rapport has affected numerous students and their careers. He possesses the willingness to share his knowledge and expertise in an in-depth and personal manner. John Mohler's biographical and teaching doctrine is underrepresented and recorded, and the personal narrative interviews will help to provide an insight into the life and teachings of John Mohler.
