NASA Update Information
Update is NASA's bimonthly newsletter featuring member news and events; we accept submissions about members' professional activities, short articles, and other items of interest to saxophonists. Update is available as a pdf file in the member section of the web site. All materials should be electronically submitted to the Editor, and all text materials should be in MS Word. We encourage members to include photos with articles: images should be high-resolution. Send submissions to cbryan@georgiasouthern.edu
NASA Update - December 2011 - Himie Voxman: 1912 – 2011
by Thomas Liley
It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Himie Voxman, who died Tuesday morning, November 22, at the age of 99. Born in Centerville, Iowa, he came to the University of Iowa in 1929 as a chemical engineering major, teaching clarinet to high school students to pay for his college expenses. Voxman taught the students in an unused room in the basement of the old music building until he was discovered by a janitor. He was reported to Dr. Phillip Clapp, the Director of the School of Music, who took an interest in the talented and enterprising student. According to Voxman, “Dr. Clapp claimed that he kept me from being kicked out of the university.”
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NASA Update - November 2011 - Boston University Tanglewood Institute Saxophone Workshop
The Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) is recognized internationally as the premiere summer training program for aspiring high school-age musicians and is the only program of its kind associated with one of the world’s great symphony orchestras. Under the guidance of distinguished professionals and in the presence of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), young people devote themselves to an artistic experience without parallel. The high artistic standards, rich culture of learning, and diverse programs make BUTI a unique opportunity for young artists, a starting point on the path to a future in classical music.
NASA Update - November 2011 - Third Jean-Marie Londeix Competition
by Debra Richtmeyer
The Third Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition was held July 4-16, 2011 at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. Jean-Marie Londeix wrote in the competition’s program book that, “This competition, which is dedicated particularly to contemporary art music and to the advanced techniques that are required to perform such music, is aimed at discovering the world’s best young performers, those who wish to faithfully express the most idiomatic music for saxophone, today’s music of saxophone”.
NASA Update - August 2011 - 2011 Hong Kong International Saxophone Symposium
by John Hallberg
On July 9, 2011, saxophonists from around the world gathered in Hong Kong for the Second Hong Kong International Saxophone Symposium (HKISS). During this weeklong intensive symposium, active participants and auditors took part in daily private and group lessons and master classes with world-renowned saxophonists. Along with the academic schedule, a number of concerts, rehearsals, and lectures also took place.
NASA Update - June 2011 - Robert Muczynski
Composer Robert Muczynski passed away on 25 May 2010. On the anniversary of his passing, we would like to share the obituary by Andrew Patner which was published on his blog "The View from Here." [used by permission]
ROBERT MUCZYNSKI | 1929-2010: Also taught, made his Carnegie Hall piano debut at 29
May 28, 2010
By ANDREW PATNER
Robert Muczynski, a former Chicago composer who worked in traditional and American styles, with rhythmic influences from jazz, died Tuesday [May 25, 2010] in Tucson, Ariz., according to a longtime friend and colleague, Chicago musician Richard Wyszynski.
NASA Update - April 2011 - NASA Region III Conference, 2011
by Ryan Smith
This year's Region III conference was held the weekend of March 25-27 at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, and hosted by Dr. Dave Camwell. Student saxophonists and professionals from more than fifteen states and as far away as Australia attended the conference, with over seventy performers and speakers presenting master classes, lectures, and concerts.
NASA Update - April 2011 - 2011 Saxophone Day at Central Michigan University
by Myles Boothroyd
On March 27, 2011, Central Michigan University hosted its biennial Saxophone Day. Created by Professor John Nichol, Saxophone Day was conceived in the 1990s as a way to gather, inspire, teach, and facilitate interaction among the many saxophonists from the state and region. The event has traditionally featured master classes with prominent guest artists while providing an opportunity for musicians to play in a large saxophone ensemble.
NASA Update - March 2011 - 2011 NASA Region V Conference
by Andrew J. Allen
On February 25th and 26th, nearly two hundred saxophonists assembled on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago for the Region V conference. Regional Director Jim Kasprzyk assembled a varied program that presented many facets of our instrument. Solos, duets, trios, mixed chamber ensembles, and quartets were represented in abundance, while performances by groups from Northwestern University, Indiana University, and Central Michigan University and large ensemble reading sessions evidenced a growing interest for the large saxophone ensemble.
NASA Update - March 2011 - Shell Lake Arts Center: Eugene Rousseau Saxophone Workshop
by Joanna Zattiero, Utah State University
For 38 years, Shell Lake Arts Center and Dr. Eugene Rousseau have hosted an outstanding saxophone workshop in idyllic Shell Lake, Wisconsin. This year’s workshop was no exception. The faculty included Dr. Rousseau and Dr. David Branter (Vancouver Community College), Dr. Julia Nolan (University of British Columbia), Dr. Thomas Liley (Joliet Junior College), and Dr. Stephen Stusek (University of North Carolina – Greensboro), all of who studied with Dr. Rousseau in years past. Assisting the faculty were Clarke Crandell, Greg Keel, Dr. Cameron Hofmann, Jeffrey Crowell, and instrument repair technician Richard Rees. Yamaha Corporation of America and Yamaha Canada generously sponsored the workshop.