Summary of Dissertation Recitals

Abstract

The three recitals detailed in the following document display driving themes in my creative life and artistic focus for the past four years. Together they represent an endeavor to establish a sustainable, professionally operating performance organization, the creation of new chamber works for saxophone by awarding winning, internationally recognized composers, and the exploration of Canadian saxophone performance and pedagogy born out of extensive artistic activity in the region.

Recital 1: Aero Quartet with Arun Luthra Wednesday, December 1, 2021, 7:30pm, Collins Recital Hall, Hamel Music Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison. Assisted by Salvador Flores, soprano saxophone; Walt Puyear, alto saxophone; Brian Kachur, baritone saxophone; Arun Luthra, soprano saxophone. Program: Summer’s Eve and Chase from Short Stories, Jennifer Higdon; Danzón No. 5: Portales de Madrugada, Arturo Marquez; A Schumann Bouquet, William Bolcom; Alaric I or II, Gavin Bryars; Shifting Gears, Corey Dundee; Dear Lord, John Coltrane, Arrangement by Dave Liebman; Cape Cod Chips, Hiromi Uehara, Arrangement by Corey Dundee.

Recital 2: Mending Wall: Musical Symbolism in Four New Works for Saxophone Quartet Monday, February 14, 2022, 8:00pm, Roulette, Brooklyn, New York. Assisted by Timothy McAllister, soprano saxophone, Zach Shemon, alto saxophone, Taimur Sullivan, baritone saxophone, Tony Arnold, soprano, Arturo O’Farrill, piano. Program: Unsung Lullaby, Juri Seo; Mending Time, Martin Bresnick; Where Her Eye Sits, George Lewis; Something to Declare?, Arturo O’Farrill.

Recital 3: Stories from the Great White North: Exploring Three Generations of Canadian Saxophone Repertoire Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 4:30pm, Britton Recital Hall, Earl V. Moore Building, University of Michigan. Assisted Liz Ames, piano; Andrew MacRossie, soprano saxophone; Walt Puyear, alto saxophone; Brian Kachur, baritone saxophone; Beth Henson, harp. Program: Pulau Dewata, Claude Vivier; Hajime: Sonata for alto saxophone and piano, Paul Kawabe; Nightsong, Jocelyn Morlock; New Stories, Dorothy Chang.