All about the
mini pears clarinet ensemble
The Mini Pears Clarinet Ensemble was founded by Shaun Guzmán and is the student-based chamber ensemble for clarinetists in the San Antonio metro area. In 2025, the ensemble was officially absorbed into the Prickly Pear Clarinet Ensemble non-profit organization as another means to reach out, connect, and strengthen the ties to the performing arts community and the San Antonio audiences.
This student-based clarinet ensemble has changed throughout the years. Starting off as the Monticello Clarinet Choir to Hashtag Flats (#bbbb), the Clariphonic Clarinet Ensemble, and finally the Mini Pears Clarinet Ensemble. This musical outlet offers challenging music, ensemble building/blending, developing young musicians’ ears, and encourages camaraderie and communication within the ensemble.
We encourage all interested clarinet students in San Antonio to join the Mini Pears Clarinet ensemble and enjoy meeting new friends, playing within a large clarinet ensemble, and building a community!
The 2025 Mini Pears ensemble: (left to right) Eric Buhler, Ciara Durk, Starrina Talamantez, Shiloh Rangel, Iliana Aguilar, Ella Quintero, Cierra Israel
how can you
keep the music going?
The Mini Pears Clarinet Ensemble is funded solely by the work and direction from our Prickly Pear members, support from their wonderful parents and family members, and donations provided by family, friends, teachers, Pears, and audience members!
YOU can help us bring extra-curricular activities to the clarinet students of San Antonio and provide educational and performance opportunities to the next generation of clarinetists!
The Prickly Pear Clarinet Ensemble is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, and artistic purposes as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in San Antonio, TX.
All donations are tax-deductible and are used to expand our repertoire and library, secure venues for performances all over San Antonio and nationally, apply and travel to conventions to represent the performing arts in San Antonio, and create educational and performance opportunities for all audiences!
