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Ouachita Saxophone Quartet performs at North American Saxophone Alliance Conference

March 24, 2021 - Anna Weyenberg

Cross Brandon (left) and Craig Crawford (right)

Ouachita’s student Saxophone Quartet was selected to perform at the Region IV Conference of the North American Saxophone Alliance that was held virtually on Friday, March 12, through Sunday, March 14. Members of the Saxophone Quartet include Cross Brandon on baritone, Craig Crawford on soprano saxophone, Graham Scarborough on tenor and Katelyn Still on alto.

“I am so proud of these students and their dedication to pursuing the highest possible standards of excellence,” said Dr. Caroline Taylor, professor of music at Ouachita, “especially with all of the COVID restrictions in place limiting rehearsals and performance opportunities.”

The Region IV conference, which is held every two years, includes participants from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Performers were selected through proposals submitted to a programming committee.

“It was a huge privilege to get to listen to so many talented saxophone players,” said Scarborough, a junior instrumental music education major from West Monroe, La. “Craig, Katelyn, Cross and I have been in this quartet since last year in the fall. Playing with them is so wonderful as they are fantastic musicians who push me to be a better musician myself.”

Katelyn Still Graham Scarborough

Graham Scarborough (left) and Katelyn Still (right)

Ouachita’s Saxophone Quartet performed “Andante et Scherzo” by Eugene Bozza, and “Tapas” by Marc Mellits and arranged by Dannel Espinoza. In addition to performing as a quartet, Brandon, Crawford and Still also were selected to play solo pieces at the conference.

Brandon, a senior music industry major from Little Rock, Ark., performed “Rhapsody for Baritone Saxophone” by Mark Watters, and Ouachita’s Kristen La Madrid was his collaborative pianist. Crawford, a junior instrumental music performance major from Texarkana, Texas, performed “Dialogue” by Phillip Parker, and Ouachita’s Elsen Portugal was his collaborative pianist. Still, a senior instrumental music education major from Benton, Ark., performed “Concerto for Saxophones” by Lucas Garner, with La Madrid as her collaborative pianist.

While the conference was virtual this year, Still said it “was a valuable experience.”

“I learned a lot of interesting information from great people, and I listened to talented saxophonists,” she said. “I hope everyone enjoyed our performances!”

For more information, contact Dr. Caroline Taylor, professor of music at [email protected] or (870) 245-5139.