Adolphe Sax Birthday Concert

Pealer Recital Hall, PAC

FSU’s Department of Music Celebrates Adolphe Sax Birthday With Concert

Frostburg State University’s Department of Music will present a birthday celebration recital in honor of Adolphe Sax, the Belgian musician and inventor of the saxophone, on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public. This event will also be livestreamed; click the “Join Stream” button on this page a few minutes before the recital is scheduled to begin, or any time during the recital, to view the live performance.

Directed by Dr. Brent Weber, Saxophone Orchestra personnel are Gwen Fazenbaker and Weber on soprano saxophone; Christopher Wroten on alto saxophone; Tammy Burns, Robert Godfrey and Max Partlow on tenor saxophone; and Vincent Hangarter and Gabe Hicks on baritone saxophone. They will be assisted by community members Scott Heavner, Eileen Martin and Heather Williams on alto saxophone and Rich Frush on tenor saxophone.

The group will perform pop and jazz classics and a special dedication to Janet Stevens ’83/M’88 (7/23/1961-7/8/2024). The program will include “Golliwog’s Cakewalk” by Claude Debussy, arranged by Thomas Pechot; “String of Pearls” by Eddie De Lange and Jerry Gray, arranged by Austin Ralphson; “Harlem Nocturne” by Earl Hagen, arranged by Ralph Raymond Hays; “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, arranged by Austin Ralphson; “Birdland” by Josef Zawinul, arranged by Ralphson; “Amazing Grace” by John Newton; “Smoke on the Water” by Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover and Jon Lord, arranged by Kate Agioritis; “Carol of the Bells” by Mykola Leontovych, arranged by Jonathan Eno; and “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Steve Perry, Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain, arranged by Agioritis.

The Golliwog character was made into a very popular children’s doll, owned by Debussy’s daughter, which was the inspiration for the piece. Clearly influenced by African American ragtime and jazz, “Golliwog’s Cakewalk” is the sixth and final piece in his piano solo suite “Children’s Corner” (1908).

“A String of Pearls” is a 1941 song recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra that became a No. 1 hit. The song is a big band and jazz standard.

“Harlem Nocturne” is a jazz standard written in 1939 for the Ray Noble Orchestra.

“Rhapsody in Blue” is a 1924 musical composition for solo piano and jazz band, which combines elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects.

“Birdland” is a jazz/pop song written by Zawinul of the band Weather Report as a tribute to the Birdland nightclub in New York City, which appeared on the band’s 1977 album “Heavy Weather.”

“Amazing Grace” is a Christian hymn written in 1772 by English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton. The lyrics are based on Newton’s experience of receiving God’s grace and mercy, despite the terrible things he had done. Prior to his life as an ordained minister, he participated in the Atlantic slave trade and captained a slave ship.

“Smoke on the Water” is a song by English rock band Deep Purple, released on their 1972 studio album “Machine Head.” The song’s lyrics are based on true events, chronicling the 1971 fire at Montreux Casino in Montreux, Switzerland.

“Carol of the Bells” is a popular Christmas carol, which is based on the Ukrainian New Year’s song “Shchedryk.” The music for the carol comes from the song written by the Ukrainian composer Leontovych in 1914.

Known for its iconic opening piano riff, “Don’t Stop Believin’” is a song by American rock band Journey. It was released in October 1981 as the second single from the group’s seventh studio album, “Escape.”

For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.

Music, Performance, Recital