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(U.S.A.)
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The Northern Arizona University Saxophone Ensemble is one of the University's premier performing groups. Established in 1995, it has presented numerous concerts throughout the southwest region of the United States. In 1998, the group performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference held at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. All of the ensemble's members are pursuing various degrees in music at NAU, and all are currently students of Wildy Zumwalt. While the Northern Arizona University Saxophone Ensemble specializes in contemporary music, transcriptions from various stylistic periods do frequently appear on their programs.
Wildy Zumwalt holds the Bachelor of Music degree from West Texas State University, the Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan, and is currently pursuing the doctor of Musical Arts degree from Florida State University. His teachers include Don Lefevre, Donald Sinta, and Patrick Meighan. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at NAU, Zumwalt is an active soloist and clinician throughout the Southwest. He has performed as soloist with a number of college and high school bands under conductors such as Gary Garner, James Croft, Patricia Hoy, and William D. Revelli. He also has performed at regional meetings of the North American Saxophone Alliance. In 1992 Zumwalt was the first prize winner in the Southern Division M.T.N.A. Woodwind Collegiate Competition and a finalist at the National Convention in Milwaukee. Orchestral experience includes performances with the Knoxville Symphony, Amarillo Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Tallahassee Symphony, and the Flagstaff Festival Orchestra. Most recently, Zumwalt was heard on National Public Radio's Performance Today. He has recorded on the Pro-Arte and NAUWS labels. Mr. Zumwalt joined the faculty at Northern Arizona University in spring 1994. |
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| Mark Alan Taggart's only rhythm and... is an ongoing series of compositions that was started four years ago with a high spirited romp entitled Vigor. Movements that have since followed include Vision – a powerful one-movement piano concerto with accompanying saxophones and percussion; Fury – a raw, visceral work that features a battery of percussion instruments; and Memory – a delicate and ethereal work of sublime beauty. A new installment will be added this summer with a total of eight movements planned for the series. Taggart's intent in writing this music is to demonstrate that "the expressive capabilities of the string orchestra can be found in the saxophone orchestra." While all of the compositions are scored for the same instrumentation (twelve saxophones, percussion, and piano), each one is quite distinct in character. The composer is able, through creative scoring and a broad sense of style, to achieve astonishing variety from one movement to the next. The demands placed on the musicians in terms of technique and range are extensive, but well worth the effort.
The Northern Arizona University Saxophone Ensemble is eager to share the music of Mark Alan Taggart with the world saxophone community. It is our hope that through the performance of these works at the WSC an interest in this outstanding American composer's music will be sparked. |
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Mark Alan Taggart, chef d'orchestre / conductor
L'ensemble participera également à la création d'Appel de Luc Marcel The ensemble will also participate in the premiere of Appel by Luc Marcel |
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