Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music will host the Arkansas Saxophone Quartet concert on Monday, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Mabee Fine Arts Center’s McBeth Recital Hall. The recital is free of charge and open to the public.

Performers include Andy Wen, associate professor at University of Arkansas in Little Rock, on soprano saxophone; Dr. Caroline Taylor, a professor of music at Ouachita, on alto saxophone; Dr. Brent Bristow, director of bands and professor of saxophone at Arkansas State University in Beebe, on tenor saxophone; and Dr. Jackie Lamar, professor of music at the University of Central Arkansas, on baritone saxophone.

The quartet formed in 2007 and performs a variety of chamber music styles, ranging from transcriptions to avant-garde contemporary. The ensemble has performed at nationally and internationally recognized events including the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, the International Conference on Arts and Humanities and the World Saxophone Congress.

“I am so excited to have this opportunity to play with the Arkansas Saxophone Quartet in a concert here at Ouachita,” Taylor said.

The concert will include the following pieces: “Desert Images” by Jim Weisheit, “Three Watercolors” by Craig Wadley, “Shenanigans” by Sy Brandon, “Histoire Du Tango” by composer Ástor Piazzolla and “Fast Walk” by Daniel Dorff.

Wen has performed in 25 states and nine countries, with his first saxophone recital at the National Concert Hall in Taiwan. He has premiered four concertos, premiered more than 30 solo and chamber competitions and has performed at a variety of conferences.

Taylor earned her master’s degree in woodwinds performance and Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance from the University of Georgia. She has premiered works for saxophone throughout the United States and Europe and is a performing artist for the Yamaha Corporation of America.

Bristow holds degrees from Arkansas State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Memphis. He has served as the coordinating director of the Memphis Saxophone Quartet and lectured and performed at the 2003 World Saxophone Congress. He is a Yamaha performing artist and clinician and recently completed a biography of saxophonist Donald Sinta.

Lamar earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Central Arkansas. She has performed at five World Saxophone Congresses and at numerous regional and national conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance. She is also a member of the Cross Town Trio.

For more information about the concert, contact Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts at (870) 245-5129.

 

By Anna Hurst