30 April 2008

More Snow


It is April 30th and we are still getting snow. We got about 4 inches of snow in the last 24 hours. Here is a photo of Abby near our deck.



Jody plays fetch with our newly adopted lab Max.
Note the nearly two feet of snow still on the ground. Tomorrow is May 1st?!


29 April 2008

Paul McCandless



Today we had an improvisation workshop with Paul McCandless member of the group Oregon.
Pictured is Paul McCandless, Nick Waroff and Sean Goff.

Wyoming Press Release

Click Here for the press release and information of the upcoming Globe performance at the University of Wyoming.

25 April 2008

Newspaper Review

Click here to read the newspaper review from the Globe Quartet's performance in Carrollton, Georgia.


19 April 2008

Last day at Saxophone Alliance



At this point I'm saxed out after three solid days of saxophone music. I picked up a bunch of new chamber music for saxophone in addition to spending time with a gold-plated EX alto. I spoke with Prowinds about our bass. It is still on order--according to Vicki "it is hand made in Paris." The good news is that we locked in the price. They gone up another 30% since this fall.

What you see me holding is a soprillo. One octave higher than a soprano. We'll add one to the orchestra if I can find $3500.

I heard two saxophone orchestras today John Bleuel's West Georgia group and the Jean-Michel Goury North American ensemble from France. Both concerts were very good. John, as most of you know, is faculty at the Britt saxophone workshop. In addition to being an amazing saxophonist he is a top-notch conductor. Someday soon I'll bring him to Ashland to conduct our ensemble. In the mean time if you want to work with John you must sign up for the saxophone workshop. Remember all SOU students have all but $150 of their tuition paid for.

The Goury concert was a unique saxophone ensemble. They performed six contemporary works including Reich's New York Counterpoint for saxophone ensemble. Now I'm tempted to perform even more avante garde music next year.

I spoke with the saxophone teacher from Thailand hosting the XVth World Congress. He strongly encouraged us to apply. They are working hard to make Thailand as affordable as possible. He mentioned 5 star hotels with meals for under $100 per day. I'll continue to work on getting us to Thailand if you continue to work hard in rehearsals.
Unfortunately we were not selected to perform at the Green Show this summer. Their loss. They don't know what they're missing.

Here is my family picture of Georgia grads that are attending the conference. Many have jobs and are scattered around the country. Kenneth Fischer is on the left and Otis Murphy on the far right next to Stephen Fischer. I'm in the middle next to Caroline Taylor of the Lynx saxophone percussion duo and Arkansas Saxophone Quartet.

I'm back on Monday. Remember Tuesday's rehearsal is in the Choir room

17 April 2008

South Carolina



Hi Everyone,
Last night we found out Nick did not make the final round of five but I'm sure he was number six. The five selected are mostly graduate students and Nick held his own against the best young saxophonist in the country. Please congratulate Nick when he returns.

Today was especially busy for me. I performed Tag by Eric Stokes to a nearly packed audience at 10AM. I think it helped that Otis was performing right after me! The performance was well received. I'll perform Tag in Ashland at the May 21st concert.

In the afternoon the Globe quartet performed the Avenging Spirit by Frederick Fox. I love playing that piece and hope to do it in Ashland someday.

I got to spend some time on the proto-type Yamaha EX soprano with a high G--love at the first note.

In the evening we watched Steve Stusek and our friend Jim Umble perform concertos with the band.

Tomorrow I'll see our friends and recent Ashland visitors Julia Nolan, Kenneth Fischer and Peter Sommers perform.
Keep practicing. I'll be back soon.


16 April 2008

Performing at University of West Georgia


I hope you're all doing well. Last night the Globe quartet performed with the West University Saxophone Ensemble. They played three newer works by Lejet, Snyder and Taggart--Fine pieces that we'll perform sometime.

Today we are in South Carolina for the Saxophone Alliance meeting. Nick performed for the competition at 8:30AM and did very well. We'll find out who the 5 finalist out of 65 are tonight.

Tomorrow morning I perform the solo piece Tag and the Globe Quartet performs in the afternoon.

Hope you all are enjoying your week.

If you see Jody tell her happy birthday!

Now go PRACTICE!