James Forger has served as Director of the School of Music at Michigan State University since 1990. He served previously on the faculties of East Carolina University and the Interlochen Arts Academy. He founded the MSU Community Music School, a nondegree granting division of the School, in 1994. The Community Music School currently serves 1,100 individuals on a weekly basis.

James Forger is an active saxophonist. He has recorded the Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra "Symphonic Rhapsody" by John Anthony Lennon with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Concerto for Alto Saxophone by Pulitzer prize winning composer Karel Husa for Crest Records, and Distances Within Me for saxophone and piano by John Anthony Lennon, winner of the American Composers Alliance Recording award on the CRI Label.

Forger has performed widely through South America, Europe, Asia, and Russia. He has appeared as soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic, the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, the Sinfonica de Vientos in Tunja, Columbia, and has been guest saxophonist in residence at the International Chamber Music Festival of the Mayan Highlands in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico. Forger is a regular participant in the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the Da Camera Chamber Music Series in Houston, Texas. In the 1997 season he appeared as saxophone soloist with the Grand Rapids, Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestras and the Fontana Chamber Music Society.

Mr. Forger has been a leader in the commissioning new works for the saxophone. He has commissioned or premiered works by Milton Babbitt, George Crumb, John Anthony Lennon, David Liptak, Donald Martino, Charles Ruggiero, and Morton Subotnick.

Mr. Forger received the degrees B.M. and M.M. from the University of Michigan.

Donell Snyder graduated with honors in 1990 from Central Michigan University with Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees. While studying with John Nichol, she won the 1987 CMU Concerto Competition and the 1990 Patricia Nixon scholarship. Donell was a member of Mortar Board National Honor Society and Outstanding College Students of America, and she was elected the 1989 Presser Scholar. Snyder continued music studies with Joseph Lulloff at the University of Illinois where she was a graduate assistant for the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and for saxophone studies. She also served as adjunct faculty at Millikin University for the winter term of l991. She received her Master of Music degree in August of 1991.

Snyder now attends Michigan State University where she was the graduate assistant in saxophone from 1991 to 1994. She won first prize in the 1993 North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Solo Competition, second prize in the 1994 Lansing Matinee Musicale Woodwind Competition, and was a semi-finalist in the 1992 Concert Artist's Guild International Competition. She continues to study with Joseph Lulloff and has also studied with James Forger. Snyder also teaches saxophone at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

Joseph Lulloff is Professor of Saxophone at Michigan State University. During the summer, he is on the teaching faculty at the Brevard Music Center as teacher/artist in residence.

Lulloff received his B.M. and M.M. degrees in saxophone performance from Michigan State University where he studied with James Forger. After serving as Assistant and Associate Professor of Saxophone at the University of Illinois, he returned to Michigan State to assume the position of Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies. His dedication to teaching earned him the prestigious Teacher/Scholar Award from MSU, and many of his students have received teaching and performing positions throughout the United States.

Energy, intensity, and artistry characterize all of Lulloff's performances, from jam sessions to classical concerts. Early in his career he presented his New York debut at Carnegie Hall as a winner of the Concert Artists Guild International Competition. Success at the Pro Musicis International Music Competition showcased Lulloff in several major venues throughout the world. Lulloff performs frequently as saxophonist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Flint (MI) Symphony Orchestra, Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Ragtime Orchestra. These and numerous other groups have showcased his talents in many cities. Lulloff's music has reached international audiences as well. He presented numerous solo recitals at World Saxophone Congresses in Valencia, Spain; Tokyo, Japan; and Nuremberg, Germany. He has also performed on several occasions throughout Japan with jazz pianist Phil Strange. As a guest artist with the Prism Saxophone Quartet, he played on soprano saxophone during their 1995 South American tour. Professor Lulloff's Students hold teaching positions and performing duties in professional and military groups throughout the United States and overseas.

Lulloff has also been active in commissioning numerous composers, including, Gunther Schuller, John Harbison, Michael Colgrass, Daniel McCarthy, Charles Ruggiero, Phanos Dymiotis, Zack Browning, and Charles Lipp.

"Interplay," a CD of saxophone music featuring saxophonist Joseph Lulloff and pianist Philip Hosford. This classical/contemporary recording of saxophone literature, which features the music of Francis Poulenc, Ralph Vaughan-Williams, Alfred Desenclos, Paul Cooper and Charles Ruggiero; is currently available world-wide on the Channel Crossings label.

Currently, Lulloff is finishing a disc of three saxophone concertos with large ensemble, including the works of Dahl, Ruggiero and Colgrass; to be released in the fall of 1999.

Eric Lau is a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at Michigan State University and a student of Joseph Lulloff. Lau is a recipient of the distinguished Dean's Recruitment Fellowship. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Louisiana State University summa cum laude and with College Honors., and his Masters of Music degree in saxophone performance from Michigan State University. His previous teachers include Griffin Campbell of LSU and Kandace Brooks of the University of Florida.

Lau has performed throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, in both solo and chamber music settings. In 1995 Lau participated in the Competition for Musical Performers in Geneva, Switzerland, and most recently he was a guest performer with the University of Southwest Louisiana Wind Band during their 1997 tour of France. Lau is a winner of the 1998 MSU Honors Concerto Competition and 2nd place winner in the 1999 MTNA National Chamber Music Competition. Currently, Eric Lau holds the saxophone teaching assistantship at Michigan State University.