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.

This year’s Saxophone Day featured two distinguished guest artists who offered separate master classes and performances. The h2 Quartet, an award-winning ensemble that formed in 2002, is comprised of saxophonists Jeffrey Loeffert, Geoffrey Deibel, Jonathon Nichol, and Kimberly Goddard. Prior to the main event, these four saxophonists offered a master class for CMU students. Sophomores Thomas Harder and Jonathon Klar performed Christian Lauba’s Hard and Matthew Orlovich’s Crazy Logic, respectively, and received instruction from Geoff Deibel and Jonathon Nichol. In the second half of the master class, Kim Goddard and Jeff Loeffert worked with two CMU undergraduate quartets who presented Philip Glass’s Saxophone Quartet and Four for Tango by Astor Piazzolla.

This year’s event also featured a second guest artist: Donald Sinta, Earl V. Moore Professor of Saxophone at the University of Michigan. Professor Sinta gave a two-hour master class on Sunday morning. In the first hour, The Apollo Quartet performed two movements of William Albright’s Fantasy Etudes while in the second half of the session, Professor Sinta worked with CMU student Kyle Landry, who performed William Bolcom’s Lilith for alto saxophone and piano.

The remainder of the afternoon consisted of a variety of ensemble performances. The Central WAILS saxophone orchestra performed in the music building lobby where attendees gathered to hear a program of jazz and funk tunes. Shortly after, the h2 Quartet presented a full-length concert, performing John Mackey’s Strange Humors, Takuma Itoh’s Echolocation, Roger W. Petersen’s Chasing the Silence, David MacDonald’s Falling Up the Down Escalator, Amy Williams’ Univosity, and the four movements of Quartet No. 2 by Marc Mellits. This final piece was arranged for h2 by Dr. Jonathon Nichol and concluded a superbly executed, varied, and truly exciting program that gave many saxophonists in the audience ideas for repertoire to explore.
Perhaps the most memorable part of the day included back-to-back performances by two large saxophone ensembles. The late-afternoon concert opened with the CMU Saxophone Ensemble comprised of sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass saxophones. Directed by Professor John Nichol, the group performed four pieces, among them arrangements of Jay Unger’s Ashokan Farewell and Grieg’s Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, along with a rendition of Mozart’s Impresario Overture. The highlight of this concert was Professor Sinta’s performance of Jeff Loeffert’s arrangement of Nun will die Sonn’ so hell aufgeh’n from Mahler’s song cycle, Kindertotenlieder. Professor Sinta offered a moving rendition of Mahler’s music, captivating the audience with his powerful, characteristic tone and bringing out the many artistic nuances in the composition.

Following the performance by Professor Sinta and the CMU saxophone studio, the remaining attendees assembled their instruments and packed the stage to perform as a large ensemble. Attendance at this year’s event was a record high, with over 207 registered saxophonists and 187 performers in the final concert. Professor Nichol led these students and professors through an exciting program of art music, including arrangements of Holst’s First Suite in Eb, of Sheep May Safely Graze and The Stars and Stripes Forever. The final rendition of these works rounded off a rewarding day of rehearsals, master classes, and performances.

Saxophone Day was marked by an air of fellowship among musicians who gathered with an eagerness to share their knowledge, learn from one another, and perform high-quality art music. Most of the attendees were musicians who would otherwise never have the opportunity to sit in a large saxophone ensemble, and the experience was both inspirational and educational for the students and professionals involved. With the hard work and careful planning by Professor John Nichol, the CMU School of Music, Professor Donald Sinta, the h2 Quartet, and the more than two hundred saxophonists in attendance, Central Michigan University hosted a very successful and memorable Saxophone Day.

Photo - Saxophone Day participants perform in the massed saxophone ensemble led by Prof John Nichol