Season's Last Siskiyou Saxophone Concert

Last night the Siskiyou Saxophone Orchestra had its last concert for the 2007-2008 season. We had a wonderful year. What this ensemble accomplished in one year is simply amazing. Just a reminder of the highlights: three new compositions added to the saxophone ensemble repertoire--all dedicated to the Siskiyou Saxophone Orchestra, seven original arrangements-- many are being published. That is a lot of premiers for any professional ensemble to do in one season.

Our CD has been a huge hit. So far we have given out 300 with requests for many more. I will try to get another CD together this summer. Our youtube videos have been viewed by thousands of saxophonists and saxophonists all over the world are aware of the Siskiyou Saxophones.

And let's not forget our trip to China. We were invited and financially supported by our hosts. That happens with professional ensembles.

Four students are graduating and will be missed. Jenifer is moving on to the University of Oregon for a Master's in Inter-Media Music Technology. Erin will be entering the Master of Arts in Teaching program at SOU. Andrew has already been hired by the university--smart decision on our part. Travis will be working in the Grants Pass school district. Congratulations to you all.

Jesse Molloy TV and Radio spot

SOU just released a TV and radio spot featuring former saxophone student and SOU alum Jesse Molloy. Jesse was a dedicated and disciplined student who began taking lessons while attending Ashland high school. In addition to being a fine saxophonist Jesse was always writing creative music. He won the E Mulling award for the most outstanding first year music student in 1999. Jesse has been in many professional groups and continues to pursue a performing career in the San Diego area. Congratulations Jesse--you make me proud!

Click here to watch to the TV spot

Nick's Recital and report from Brent

Nick Waroff performed a terrific junior recital yesterday afternoon. He played the Creston Sonata with Jodi French, Ryo Noda's Improvisation I, and Descenclos' Prelude, Cadence and Finale with Aaron Blenkush. Sharing the recital was another fine junior recital by Leoni Lanzas. Congratulations to Nick, Leoni and pianist--Jodi, Aaron, Joseph and Laurie.

The last student I had perform the Descenclos was Brent Weber. Now in Chengdu teaching saxophone at the Sichuan Conservatory of Classical Music (SCCM), I had the opportunity to talk to Brent last night. I teach at the Sichuan Conservatory each May. I'm scheduled to visit Chengdu next week--May 27--but with the severe earthquake it is unclear if I can visit Chengdu. The Chinese American Piano Institute (CAPI), hosted by SCCM, was canceled by the director and SOU faculty Alexander Tutunov. The Sichuan Conservatory is damaged, classes haven't resumed yet and many students are heading home. Brent reports that the aftershocks continue still and are making everyone uncomfortable. Many people are living outside afraid to be in a building during an aftershock.

Brent relays that he is safe and his area of the city is doing okay. Life is not back to normal yet and no one knows when SCCM will be safe to return. Their finals are in June. He and friends tried to volunteer to assist in the severely damaged areas of Wenchuan and Beichuan but they are only accepting military and medically trained people currently.

I have many friends in Chengdu and Sichuan Province. I know they are safe but I'm personally very anxious to see them again. I know SOU student from Sichuan, Tang Di, must be experiencing terrible anxiety. He cannot return home. Tang has been staying updated by watching CCTV and talking on the phone with his parents and friends. He was speaking with his parents when the initial earthquake hit. Tang was speaking to a friend closer to the epicenter when a terrifying aftershock occured. He reported hearing glass breaking and people screaming in the background. Everyone's thoughts and sympathies are with you Tang. Come out to see Tang and other SOU students perform in the Saxophone Orchestra Concert Wednesday night at 8PM.

Earthquake in Sichuan

The only new information I've heard directly is from Wenjun, SOU's incoming music major and CMC scholarship winner. She reports:

Dear professor:

Thank you for you care about my safe.
I am OK now.
When earthquake happened, I was in practice room which is 15th floor. I quickly know what had happened and let other students who in the same floor ran down. Earthquakes shake very heavily, our practice building was leant to one side and have some broken. Everybody feel nervous, some boys and girls cried, I thought it is so danger.

My city Chengdu's people already have begun work. This city luckier than others, because it is so closes with the earthquake center but not have much damage. We will feel danger at night and live out side. I am with my friends now. All in all, my city and I are safe.
Thank you very much!

Best wish;
Wenjun Qi

Earthquake in Sichuan

Nathan Roberts at the International Office received this yesterday from Chamber Music Concert's scholarship student Wenjun. She was practicing guitar at the Sichuan Conservatory in Chengdu when the earthquake struck.

Dear officer:

Thank you for your office care about my safe.
I am OK now.
When earthquake happened, I was in practise room which is 15th floor. I quickly know what had happend and let other students who in the same floor ran down . Earthquake shake very heavily, our practise building was leant to one side and have some broken. Everybody feel nervous, some boys and girls cried, I thought it is so danger.
I am with my friends now, it is safe.

Best wish;
Wenjun Qi