Namju Back

South Korea

selected candidate

2026 CHENGDU INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION

school affiliation

HMT Rostock (Germany)

Namju Back is a talented clarinetist with a comprehensive and rigorous musical education background. He started his musical journey at Yewon School from March 2009 to February 2012, then continued his studies at Seoul Arts High School from March 2012 to February 2015. He further pursued his academic and musical development in Germany, earning a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music from the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln between 2015 and 2023. Since October 2023, he has been studying for a Konzertexamen at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock, demonstrating his persistent pursuit of professional excellence in clarinet performance.

Namju Back has rich professional experience in both orchestral performance and musical leadership. From September 2019 to March 2022, he served as Principal Clarinet and Bandmaster in the Capital Defense Command of South Korea. Later, from September 2023 to February 2024, he worked as Second Clarinet in the State Police Orchestra of Niedersachsen, accumulating valuable practical experience in orchestral collaboration and musical direction.

Throughout his career, Namju Back has achieved remarkable results in competitions and participated in numerous prestigious musical events. He won the First Prize in the Seoul University Wind Instrument Competition, was a semifinalist in the 12th Saverio Mercadante Clarinet Competition, and a finalist in the 18th Saverio Mercadante Clarinet Competition. He also participated in renowned competitions such as the Prague Spring Competition 2022 and the 74th International ARD Competition. Additionally, he has given solo performances with the Incheon Symphony Orchestra and Suwon Symphony Orchestra, participated in chamber music performances at the Berlin Philharmonie Chamber Hall and Friedenskirche Köln, and joined masterclasses led by renowned musicians including Prof. Ulf Rodenhäuser, Julian Bliss, Prof. Francois Benda, and Prof. Sharon Kam. He also took part in the Kuhmho Young Artist Project and the Jeju International Music Festival.