Member News
Ancia Saxophone Quartet releases Short Stories on Naxos International
Taking its name from Jennifer Higdon’s Short Stories, this album explores stylistically diverse music showcasing the saxophone quartet’s immense expressive potential. The Ancia Saxophone Quartet has delighted audiences throughout North America, Europe, and Asia for almost two decades. The group’s innovative and diverse repertoire stretches traditional boundaries of genre and style, juxtaposing traditional classical repertoire with contemporary works by modern composers. The CD can be purchased on the Ancia website http://www.anciaquartet.com/cds.htm with PayPal or any major credit card.
Throughout the Ancia Saxophone Quartet show themselves as a technically adroit group with a palpable sense that they enjoy everything they play. -- David's Review Corner
[Ancia] has been playing together since 1990, which practically places it as pioneers in what remains a growing field of ensembles in the United States. -- AMG (4-stars out of 5)
A rarity -- an album of modern sax quartet music that hasn't a clunker on it . . . Their unanimity of ensemble and complementary tonal qualities certainly testify to long experience in the field. Enthusiastically recommended. -- Steven Ritter (Audiophile Audition)
Elegantly and thoughtfully rendered. -- Michael Torke
Sintchak will teach at Lutheran Summer Music Academy
Matt Sintchak will serve as saxophone teacher and performer for the 29th annual Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival (LSM), which will take place June 20 to July 18 at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The residential music training academy -- which serves more than 150 high school age musicians from across the United States -- features three major ensembles: band, orchestra and choir, as well as a comprehensive keyboard and organ program. Nearly 40 faculty artists, all of whom are esteemed practicing professional musicians and academicians from throughout the United States, serve LSM students. The faculty live in residence on the host campus during the four-week program.
As a member of the artistic faculty, Sintchak will maintain a private studio, coach a small ensemble, and teach musicianship. Additionally, he will perform in solo recitals and play for worship services throughout the summer.
Helton Leads The Saxophone in Paris: Then and Now
The University of Florida Paris Research Center, in conjunction with the University of Florida International Center study abroad programs, will offer an intensive spring break course The Saxophone in Paris: Then and Now with Dr. Jonathan Helton. This is an excellent study abroad opportunity for saxophonists and can also serve as a professional development experience for teachers and performers.
During the first program in 2008, 14 saxophonists from eight states and Canada spent a week packed with saxophone-related activity in Paris. The activities included a Selmer factory tour, a Selmer showroom visit, a trip to the Vandoren showroom and sheet music store, a visit to Adolphe Sax's tomb, master classes with Jean-Michel Goury, observation of Claude Delangle’s teaching at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris, and a concert by Delangle. In addition, two saxophone ensemble concerts were performed by members of the class at venues in and around Paris.
In 2010, we will add a visit to the absolutely stunning, newly renovated Musée de la Musique, one of the world's oldest and most impressive musical instrument museums whose holdings include a number of Adolphe Sax's original instruments. We will also attend a concert by the Garde Républicaine band and attend a master class with Jean-Pierre Baraglioli and a concert by his students.
The trip will take place March 7-13. Enrollment is limited to 15 participants. More details can be found at http://www.arts.ufl.edu/music/saxophone/paris.html
New Edition of Lang’s Altissimo Studies
A new edition of Rosemary Lang’s Beginning Studies in the Altissimo Register has been published by Ensemble Publications. Long out of print, it has been revised and updated by Gail Levinsky of Susquehanna University. The book’s purpose is to teach the altissimo register quickly and efficiently using well-known tunes and interval studies. The method concludes with major, minor, and chromatic studies covering all 12 keys. The book is available through Hickey’s Music http://www.hickeys.com/pages/xscat.htm