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The Empire Saxophone Quartet is a unique chamber music ensemble. Its repertoire includes classical works from the Renaissance through Contemporary periods, as well as Pop, Jazz and Ragtime selections. The versatility of the saxophone allows this superb ensemble to emulate the subtleties of a fine string quartet, the power of a brass quintet and the grandeur of a pipe organ. Audiences are astonished by the diversity and artistry displayed by the ESQ.
The ensemble is comprised of Steven Mauk, Jamal Rossi, April Lucas and Anthony Alduino performing respectively on the soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. Mauk is Professor of Saxophone at Ithaca College, while Rossi serves as the school's Associate Dean. Both Lucas and Alduino are music educators and performers from the Binghamton area. Unlike many musicians, saxophonists are schooled in a wide variety of styles. All members of the ESQ have either masters or doctorate degrees from leading colleges and universities. Included in their training was in-depth study of both classical and jazz idioms. The ability to quickly shift from styles as divergent as renaissance and jazz is seldom found in more traditional chamber music ensembles. Such skill allow the ESQ to perform an incredibly wide range of music, which adds greatly to the entertainmenl value of their presentations. Many consider the saxophone to be only a jazz or popular music instrument. This notion is being changed with each performance of the ESQ. Their ability to control dynamics — ranging from the hushed pianissimo of a string quartet transcription to the driving forte of a Glenn Miller selection — is remarkable. The subtle control of ensemble nuances, balance and intonation, coupled with the wide dynamic capabilities, make the Empire Saxophone Quartet a group of exceptional capabilities. The ensemble has met with enormous success in a myriad of settings. The group has performed at concert series, arts festivals, parks, churches, public schools, art exhibits, colleges, music conferences, restaurants, and weddings, as well as with symphony orchestra and band. The experiences of its members, the high level of performance abilities and the entertaining presentation staged by the ESQ make them a group suitable for all occasions. Steven Mauk (soprano saxophone) is the professor of saxophone at the Ithaca Collge School of Music. He holds degrees from the University of Tennessee and the University of Michigan. A noted author, Steve has written several books and numerous articles about the saxophone and has many solo and ensemble recordings to his credit. A well-know soprano saxophonist, Steve has helped pioneer the development of this instrument as a solo voice. An active performer, he has appeared in such locales as London, Toronto, The Netherlands, Japan and many U.S. cities. Jamal Rossi (alto saxophone) is the Assistant Dean and an associate professor at the Ithaca College School of Music. He has served on the faculties of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Roberts Wesleyan College, the Eastman School of Music and Northern State University. Dr. Rossi taught in the public schools and received his advanced degrees in saxophone performance from the University of Michigan and the Eastman School of Music. He has written books and articles about the saxophone and is a recording artist on the Open Loop label. April Lucas (tenor saxophone) performs as the principal saxophonist and bass clarinetist int the BC Pops, Binghamton Symphony and Tri-Cities Opera Orchestras. She maintains a private music studio and is the business manager of the ESQ. Currently a music educator in the Susquehanna Valley school district, April has also served on the faculties of Hartwick College and SUNY Binghamton. In addition, she is an active performer with the New Sousa Band, conducted by Keith Brion. Anthony Alduino (baritone saxophone) is a music educator in the Susquehanna Valley School District and an active musician in the Southern Tier. He has a woodwind studio for private instruction and has performed with the Binghamton and Syracuse Symphony Orchestras. Tony has recorded with the Rascher Ensemble, the Fredonia Saxophone Ensemble and the Saxophone Sinfonia. He is a former member of the Onondaga Community College faculty. The Empire Saxophone Quartet is an artist/clinician ensemble for the Selmer Company. |
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Harmonie du Congrès mondial du saxophone Rodney Winther, chef d'orchestre / conductor |
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| Urban Requiem for four saxophones and wind orchestra was commissioned by Gary Green and the University of Miami Wind Ensemble through its Abraham Frost Commission Series. This was the first work in a perpetual series of biennial commissions made possible by the Abraham Frost Endowment. Established by Dr. Phillip Frost in memory of his father, the endowment seeks to support the creation of major works for a variety of mediums that will encourage contributions to the orchestral, wind, choral, and jazz repertoire.
A requiem is a dedication to the souls of the dead. Urban Requiem might be described as an urban tale, inspired by a diversity of random impression. I thought of our urban areas, where the saxophone was spawned, and of the tragedies and struggles that occur in this environment daily. But I was also inspired by the energy and power of our cities and the humor inherent in their conflicts. I feel that the saxophone is particularly well suited to express the variety of emotions required for this idea, because it can be not only highly personal and poignant in character but also powerful and commanding. It can howl like a banshee or purr like a kitten. In short, the saxophone is perhaps more like the human voice than any other instrument. In my mind I heard four saxophones singing like a vocal quartet, a music that was liturgical in nature but with a bluesy overtone, a kind of 'after hours' requiem. The size of the wind ensemble for Urban Requiem matches the non-string instrumentation of a symphony orchestra (triple winds and brasses, tuba, four horns, harp, synthesizer, timpani and four percussion). The players are divided into four groups surrounded by the larger wind ensemble, with each sax having its own little 'neighborhood.' The soloists interact in virtuoso display and play duets and trios with principle players in their bands. The sax players are called upon to improvise occasionally over basic material in sometimes jazz, sometimes ethnic musical traditions. Urban Requiem is repectfully dedicated to Gary Green, whose boundless enthusiasm for its creation was a constant inspiration to me. It is written for all urban souls, living and dead, who like myself love our cities and continue to be inspired by them. |
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