 "Photo: UWG Music")
The University of West Georgia’s music department recently hosted the 2010 Saxophone Symposium.
The concert is part of a three-day event featuring the Symposium Saxophone Ensemble, UWG Saxophone Ensemble, the Globe Saxophone Quartet and the Symposium Saxophone Orchestra.
The Symposium Saxophone Ensemble features students from different middle and high schools in Georgia.
The students in the Symposium Saxophone Ensemble began their day at 10 a.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom for their first rehearsal. A master class, taught by Dr. John Bleuel, began at 1:15 p.m. At 2:30 p.m., a second Ensemble rehearsal was held in the ballroom. The students ended their first day with a performance by the master class in Kathy Cashen Hall.
Three students performed in the master class: Matt Marshall from Dacula High School, who played “Vivace from Sonata in A minor” on the baritone saxophone; Bremen High School student Nicolas Chambers, who played “Aria” on the alto saxophone; and Caroline Helleck from George Walton Academy, who played “Allegro con moto from Concertino da Camera” on the alto saxophone.
On the first night of the Saxophone Symposium, a faculty recital was held, hosted by Bleuel, featuring Harry Nelson on guitar, Dr. Dawn McCord on organ, Dr. Linda Li-Bleuel on piano and Bleuel on saxophone.
Four songs were played, one by each of the faculty members.
The first, a smooth and relaxed song called “Suite” by Alan Hovhaness, featured the alto saxophone and guitar. “Rapsodie” by Paul Creston followed, a song featuring the alto saxophone and the organ. The song was dramatic, and varied in dynamics.
“Tourbillons” by Lucie Robert was a duet between the alto saxophone and the piano. Bleuel explained that the word “tourbillion” means whirlwind. The song was an epic, at eighteen minutes long, with whirling melodies, crescendos and decrescendos.
The faculty concert came to an end with “Pequena Csardas” by Pedro Itturalde, a song featuring a duet between the alto saxophone and the piano. The tempo was fast-paced and included a cadenza for the saxophone.
The musicians played with emotion, and the audience felt connected to both the musicians and their music.
On Sat., Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom, the Saxophone Symposium met for the second day of the event, featuring performances from the UWG Saxophone Ensemble, the Symposium Saxophone Orchestra and the Symposium Saxophone Ensemble.
The UWG Saxophone Ensemble and pianist Dr. Linda Li-Bleuel performed “10 + 1” by Lucie Robert-Diessel. The piece was written for Li-Bleuel and the ensemble, and it was the first time it was performed in public.
The Saxophone Symposium’s final day of the event was on Tuesday, March 2 at 8:15 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom. It featured performances from the UWG Saxophone Ensemble and the Globe Saxophone Quartet.
For more information on upcoming events, call 678-839-6516 or visit the department’s website at http://www.westga.edu/music/
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