Congratulations to the Kenari Quartet (Robert Eason, soprano saxophone: Durand Jones, alto saxophone; Corey Dundee, tenor saxophone; and Steven Banks, baritone saxophone), who have won the Silver Medal in the Senior Wind Division at the 2013 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.

The quartet performed in the final round of the competition on Sunday, May 12, alongside the Wasmuth String Quartet, also Silver Medal winners (of the Senior String Division).

For more information on the Fischoff Competition, click here >

Bob Eason is currently pursuing a master’s degree in saxophone performance and studies with Otis Murphy at Indiana University. Recently, Eason was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2013 Young Texas Artist Competition. He has performed with the Jacobs School of Music Wind Ensemble under the direction of Stephen Pratt, and he is the Soprano Saxophonist of the Kenari Saxophone Quartet. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from The University of Houston and studied with Dan Gelok, Valerie Vidal, and Karen Wylie. While at the University of Houston, eason was a founding member of the Blue Static Saxophone Quartet and performed with the ensemble at the 2011 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition where the group won the Silver Medal in the Senior Winds division. In addition to the teachers mentioned above, Eason feels incredibly fortunate to have been mentored by Eddie Green, John Benzer, David Bertman, Noe Marmolejo, Tom Bennett, Gregory Dick, Robert Munoz, Theron Sharp, Julio Sanchez, Aaron Brown, Martin Langford, and Chris Patterson.

Durand Jones is a master’s student at Indiana University under tutelage of Otis Murphy. He received his Bachelor of Music Education at Southeastern Louisiana University. Other saxophonists that Durand has studied with include Richard Schwartz, Brina Bourliea, and Craig Millet. Durand is the alto saxophonist of the Kenari Quartet. While at Indiana University, Jones has had many performance opportunities such as performing in the Symphonic Band under the baton of Gershman, the IU Latin Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Michael Spiro, the IU Soul Revue under the direction of Tyron Cooper and Charles Sykes, and the IU Saxophone Ensemble. Outside of IU, Jones has had the opportunity to also perform in Carnegie Hall, the International Saxophone Symposium in 2011 and 2012, the North American Saxophone Alliance region 5 Conference, and as a featured artist for the Southeastern Guitar Festival for two consecutive years. Jones has also performed in masterclasses for famous saxophonist such as, Timothy McAllister, Dale Underwood, Griff Campbell, H2 Quartet, Iridium Quartet, Jonathan Helton, and Otis Murphy. He is affiliated with North American Saxophone Alliance, Kappa Kappa Psi, and the National Association for Music Education.

Corey Dundee is a senior at Indiana University, where he is currently studying saxophone performance with Otis Murphy and composition with Claude Baker. He is a recipient of the Jacobs Scholarship, a full-tuition merit award given to a select number of undergraduate students. Dundee has performed as a guest soloist with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the UNC School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra and the Interlochen Philharmonic. As a composer, he has received recognitions from ASCAP and the Tribeca New Music ensemble, and has collaborated with the Barkada saxophone quartet and the Akropolis reed quintet in writing new pieces for chamber winds.

Steven Banks is a sophomore in the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under the instruction of Otis Murphy. He is a recipient of the Jacobs Scholarship, one of the most prestigious awards given in the School of Music. Banks regularly performs as both a soloist and an ensemble player with the Kenari Saxophone Quartet and Indiana University Symphonic Band. Since his solo debut at age 17 with the Durham Symphony Orchestra, Steven has performed and competed nationwide. Banks has won top prizes in several competitions, including 1st prizes at the 2011 Joseph M. Bryan Concerto Competition and the Durham Symphony Young Artist Competition. Steven was also chosen to perform on NPR’s From the Top on show 241 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Most recently, Steven won the Indiana University Woodwind Concerto competition and performed Paul Creston’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra on April 10, 2013. Steven is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied with Taimur Sullivan, baritone saxophonist of the renowned Prism Saxophone Quartet. He attended the Interlochen Arts Camp under the tutelage of Timothy McAllister. Steven has participated in master classes with Christopher Creviston, Joe Lulloff, the ZZYZX saxophone quartet and the United States Marine Band saxophone quartet.

Just a few weeks following its win at the Plowman chamber music competition, the  Kenari Quartet (Bob Eason, Durand Jones, Steven Banks, and Corey Dundee) has won First Prize at the 2013 J. C. Arriaga Chamber Music Competition.

Sponsored by the Treetops Chamber Music Society, the Arriaga competition is held annually in celebration of nineteenth-century composer Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, who died at the age of 19.

“We are extremely honored to have won the 2013 J. C. Arriaga competition,” said Steven Banks on behalf of the ensemble. “The competition was a great learning experience for all of us. We look forward to traveling back to Connecticut in the fall to share our music in the winner’s concert! This achievement would not have been possible without the support of our teacher, Dr. Otis Murphy, and Dean Gwyn Richards and his staff.”

Bob Eason is currently pursuing a master’s degree in saxophone performance and studies with Otis Murphy at Indiana University. Recently, Eason was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2013 Young Texas Artist Competition. He has performed with the Jacobs School of Music Wind Ensemble under the direction of Stephen Pratt, and he is the Soprano Saxophonist of the Kenari Saxophone Quartet. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from The University of Houston and studied with Dan Gelok, Valerie Vidal, and Karen Wylie. While at the University of Houston, eason was a founding member of the Blue Static Saxophone Quartet and performed with the ensemble at the 2011 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition where the group won the Silver Medal in the Senior Winds division. In addition to the teachers mentioned above, Eason feels incredibly fortunate to have been mentored by Eddie Green, John Benzer, David Bertman, Noe Marmolejo, Tom Bennett, Gregory Dick, Robert Munoz, Theron Sharp, Julio Sanchez, Aaron Brown, Martin Langford, and Chris Patterson.

Durand Jones is a master’s student at Indiana University under tutelage of Otis Murphy. He received his Bachelor of Music Education at Southeastern Louisiana University. Other saxophonists that Durand has studied with include Richard Schwartz, Brina Bourliea, and Craig Millet. Durand is the alto saxophonist of the Kenari Quartet. While at Indiana University, Jones has had many performance opportunities such as performing in the Symphonic Band under the baton of Gershman, the IU Latin Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Michael Spiro, the IU Soul Revue under the direction of Tyron Cooper and Charles Sykes, and the IU Saxophone Ensemble. Outside of IU, Jones has had the opportunity to also perform in Carnegie Hall, the International Saxophone Symposium in 2011 and 2012, the North American Saxophone Alliance region 5 Conference, and as a featured artist for the Southeastern Guitar Festival for two consecutive years. Jones has also performed in masterclasses for famous saxophonist such as, Timothy McAllister, Dale Underwood, Griff Campbell, H2 Quartet, Iridium Quartet, Jonathan Helton, and Otis Murphy. He is affiliated with North American Saxophone Alliance, Kappa Kappa Psi, and the National Association for Music Education.

Corey Dundee is a senior at Indiana University, where he is currently studying saxophone performance with Otis Murphy and composition with Claude Baker. He is a recipient of the Jacobs Scholarship, a full-tuition merit award given to a select number of undergraduate students. Dundee has performed as a guest soloist with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the UNC School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra and the Interlochen Philharmonic. As a composer, he has received recognitions from ASCAP and the Tribeca New Music ensemble, and has collaborated with the Barkada saxophone quartet and the Akropolis reed quintet in writing new pieces for chamber winds.

Steven Banks is a sophomore in the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under the instruction of Otis Murphy. He is a recipient of the Jacobs Scholarship, one of the most prestigious awards given in the School of Music. Banks regularly performs as both a soloist and an ensemble player with the Kenari Saxophone Quartet and Indiana University Symphonic Band. Since his solo debut at age 17 with the Durham Symphony Orchestra, Steven has performed and competed nationwide. Banks has won top prizes in several competitions, including 1st prizes at the 2011 Joseph M. Bryan Concerto Competition and the Durham Symphony Young Artist Competition. Steven was also chosen to perform on NPR’s From the Top on show 241 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Most recently, Steven won the Indiana University Woodwind Concerto competition and performed Paul Creston’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra on April 10, 2013. Steven is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied with Taimur Sullivan, baritone saxophonist of the renowned Prism Saxophone Quartet. He attended the Interlochen Arts Camp under the tutelage of Timothy McAllister. Steven has participated in master classes with Christopher Creviston, Joe Lulloff, the ZZYZX saxophone quartet and the United States Marine Band saxophone quartet.

HeraldTimesOnline.com

Review: Saxophonist Banks helps IU Symphony close season in style

Season closers are well underway. On Wednesday evening in the Musical Arts Center, the Indiana University Symphony offered its final program, playing with proficiency and compellingly under the direction of David Hayes, a visitor who, among other tasks, runs orchestral and conducting studies at the Mannes College of Music in New York City.

The program included Berlioz’s Overture to “Benvenuto Cellini,” the Mendelssohn Symphony Number 5, “Reformation,” and — between them — Paul Creston’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, the performance of which by Steven Banks all but stole the show.

Young Banks — he’s just a sophomore in the Jacobs School of Music — proved a remarkably nimble saxophonist who not only played his instrument with pristine clarity and enviable precision but knew how to add emotional heat to his interpretation. He was given plenty of meaty substance by Creston, a composer who also wrote concertos for other instruments not often considered for prime solo assignments, among them the marimba, trombone and accordion.

The Concerto for Alto Saxophone, written in 1944, enabled Banks to exude plenty of energy in the first movement, labeled “Energetic,” and to show off in a demanding cadenza. In the second movement, marked “Meditative,” his music-making turned mellow and dreamy. And when the “Rhythmic” final movement came along, Banks let the fingers flutter and flash in bravura fashion. He dazzled, and those who came to listen cheered.

The opening Berlioz, the “Benvenuto Cellini” Overture, to this listener a strange piece of music that always seems to build toward climaxes that never quite jell, gained a commendably unified reading, resonant and tonally brilliant, just as the score calls for.

Mendelssohn’s Symphony Number 5 was originally written to commemorate, in 1830, the 300th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, marking the origin of Protestantism. The commemoration ceremony never happened because of scattered revolutionary activity in the German states. But the symphony slowly gained acceptance as a concert piece and now commands a respected place in the repertoire.

The work combines a stately first movement that develops the arresting “Dresden Amen” Richard Wagner was later to use prominently in his opera “Parsifal” with a follow-up, delightful Scherzo, a brief and beautiful Andante, and a rousing final movement devoted to variations on the famous Lutheran chorale, “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott!” (“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”). To all this familiar and festive material, Maestro Hayes and the IU Symphony gave sheen and renewed identity. Through obviously thorough preparation, he sought to make sure the orchestra would be in good form. It was.

Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2013

Congratulations to the Jacobs School student ensemble, the Kenari Quartet (Bob Eason, Durand Jones, Corey Dundee, and Steven Banks) that has won First Prize in the Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Division of the Plowman Chamber Music Competition. Held in Columbia, Missouri, the competition is one of the most recognized chamber music competitions in the country.

“The guys in Kenari Quartet are exemplary as individuals, and each is an outstanding musician,” said their teacher, Associate Professor Otis Murphy. “They are committed to chamber music, and the horizon is boundless for them.  We all congratulate them on their success at the Plowman Competition.”

“We feel very fortunate to have been able to represent the Jacobs School of Music at the 2013 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and are so grateful for all of the support the school has given us,” said Eason, on behalf of the ensemble. “Our teacher, Otis Murphy, has been the most wonderful mentor and we are so thankful for his inspiring teachings and guidance. We have a truly exceptional studio and the friendship and encouragement from our fellow students are invaluable.”

THE PERFORMERS

Bob Eason is currently pursuing a master’s degree in saxophone performance and studies with Otis Murphy at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Recently, Eason was awarded the Gold Medal at the 2013 Young Texas Artist Competition. He has performed with the Jacobs School of Music Wind Ensemble under the direction of Professor Stephen Pratt and he is the soprano saxophonist of the Kenari Saxophone Quartet. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from The University of Houston and studied with Dan Gelok, Valerie Vidal, and Karen Wylie. While at the University of Houston, Bob was a founding member of the Blue Static Saxophone Quartet and performed with the ensemble at the 2011 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, where the group won the Silver Medal in the Senior Winds division. In addition to the teachers mentioned above, Bob feels incredibly fortunate to have been mentored by Eddie Green, John Benzer, David Bertman, Noe Marmolejo, Tom Bennett, Gregory Dick, Robert Munoz, Theron Sharp, Julio Sanchez, Aaron Brown, Martin Langford, and Chris Patterson.

Durand Jones is a master’s student at the Jacobs School of Music under tutelage of Otis Murphy. Durand received his bachelors of music education at Southeastern Louisiana University. Other saxophonists that Durand has studied with include Richard Schwartz, Brina Bourliea, and Craig Millet. Durand is the alto saxophonist of the Kenari Quartet. While at Indiana University, Durand has had many performance opportunities such as performing in the Symphonic Band under the baton of Jeffrey Gershman, the IU Latin Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Michael Spiro, the IU Soul Revue under the direction of Tyron Cooper and Charles Sykes, and the IU Saxophone Ensemble. Outside of IU, Durand has had the opportunity to also perform in Carnegie Hall,  the International Saxophone Symposium in 2011 and 2012, the North American Saxophone Alliance region 5 Conference, and as a featured artist for the Southeastern Guitar Festival for two consecutive years. Durand has also performed in master classes for famous saxophonist such as, Timothy McAllister, Dale Underwood, Griff Campbell, H2 Quartet, Iridium Quartet, Jonathan Helton, and Otis Murphy. Durand is affiliated with North American Saxophone Alliance, Kappa Kappa Psi, and the National Association for Music Education.

Corey Dundee is a senior at the Jacobs School of Music, where he is currently studying saxophone performance with Otis Murphy and composition with Claude Baker. He is a recipient of the Jacobs Scholarship, a full-tuition merit award given to a select number of undergraduate students. Dundee has performed as a guest soloist with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the UNC School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra and the Interlochen Philharmonic. As a composer, he has received recognitions from ASCAP and the Tribeca New Music ensemble, and has collaborated with the Barkada saxophone quartet and the Akropolis reed quintet in writing new pieces for chamber winds.

Saxophonist Steven Banks, age 19, has been described as “a breath-taking performer” by the Classical Voice of North Carolina. He is a native of Winston-Salem, NC. Banks is currently a sophomore in the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under the instruction of Otis Murphy. He is a recipient of the Jacobs Scholarship, one of the most prestigious awards given in the School of Music. Banks regularly performs as both a soloist and an ensemble player with the Kenari Saxophone Quartet and Indiana University Symphonic Band. Since his solo debut at age 17 with the Durham Symphony Orchestra, Banks has performed and competed nationwide. He has won top prizes in several competitions, including first prizes at the 2011 Joseph M. Bryan Concerto Competition and the Durham Symphony Young Artist Competition. Banks was also chosen to perform on NPR’s From the Top on show 241 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Most recently, Banks won the Indiana University Woodwind Concerto competition. Banks is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied with Taimur Sullivan, baritone saxophonist of the renowned Prism Saxophone Quartet. He attended the Interlochen Arts Camp under the tutelage of Timothy McAllister. He has participated in master classes with Christopher Creviston, Joe Lulloff, the ZZYZX saxophone quartet and the United States Marine Band saxophone quartet.

Congratulations to 19 year-old Steven Banks, a student of Otis Murphy, who won the Jacobs School woodwind concerto competition Feb. 10 and will perform the Creston Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra on Wednesday April 10 at 8pm with the Symphony Orchestra.  Guest David Hayes will conduct a concert that includes the Berlioz Overture to Benvenuto Cellini and the Mendelssohn  Symphony No.5 “Reformation”.

The runner-up for the competition was flutist Michelle Choi, a student of Kathryn Lukas.

About Steve Banks

Saxophonist Steven Banks, age 19, has been described as “a breath-taking performer” by the Classical Voice of North Carolina. He is a native of Winston-Salem, NC. Banks is currently a sophomore in the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under the instruction of Dr. Otis Murphy. He is a recipient of the Jacobs Scholarship, one of the most prestigious awards given in the School of Music. Steven regularly performs as both a soloist and an ensemble player with the Kenari Saxophone Quartet and Indiana University Symphonic Band.

Since his solo debut at age 17 with the Durham Symphony Orchestra, Steven has performed and competed nationwide. Banks has won top prizes in several competitions, including 1^st prizes at the 2011 Joseph M. Bryan Concerto Competition and the Durham Symphony Young Artist Competition. Steven was also chosen to perform on NPR’s From the Top on show 241 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.

As a jazz and commercial saxophonist, Steven performs with the Jeremy Allen Jazz Ensemble and the Indiana University Soul Revue. He has played and recorded with various combos and big bands. In high school, Steven primarily studied jazz with Ronald Rudkin. He also studied and performed with jazz drummer Joe Chambers, and saxophonist Ralph Bowen.

Steven is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied with Taimur Sullivan, baritone saxophonist of the renowned Prism Saxophone Quartet. He attended the Interlochen Arts Camp under the tutelage of Timothy McAllister. Steven has participated in master classes with Christopher Creviston, Joe Lulloff, the ZZYZX saxophone quartet and the United States Marine Band saxophone quartet.

Jiyoun Hur has won the audition for Associate Principal Flute with the New Mexico Philharmonic. She is a DM student of Thomas Robertello.

Congratulations to Bob Eason, a student of Otis Murphy, who has been awarded the Gold Medal for the Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp & Guitar Division at the 2013 Texas Young Artists Music Competition (http://www.ytamc.com/contact/auditionresults/). 

He and fellow Jacobs School student Alex Van Dyke traveled to Texas over spring break to participate in the competition. 

Bob Eason is currently pursuing a master’s degree in saxophone performance and studies with Otis Murphy.  He has performed with the Jacobs School’s Wind Ensemble under the direction of Stephen Pratt and he is the Soprano Saxophonist of the Kenari Saxophone Quartet.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from The University of Houston and studied with Dan Gelok, Valerie Vidal, and Karen Wylie.  While at the University of Houston, Bob was a founding member of the Blue Static Saxophone Quartet and performed with the ensemble at the 2011 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition where the group won the Silver Medal in the Senior Winds division. 

A native of Houston, Bob is the Artistic Director of The Young Saxophonist’s Institute and organizes summer camps in the Houston and Dallas/Ft. Worth areas for middle school and high school saxophonists. 

His professional affiliations include the North American Saxophone Alliance, Texas Music Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.  In addition to the teachers mentioned above, Bob has been mentored by Eddie Green, John Benzer, David Bertman, Noe Marmolejo, Tom Bennett, Gregory Dick, Robert Munoz, Theron Sharp, Julio Sanchez, Aaron Brown, Martin Langford, and Chris Patterson.

Congratulations to Zach Shemon, a doctoral student of Associate Professor Otis Murphy, who has accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Missouri-Kansas City starting fall 2013.

“We all send hearty congratulations to Zach, wishing him the very best in his new teaching position!” said Murphy.

Zachary Shemon’s performance career has led to appearances around the world as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician. Shemon just returned from a tour of the Pacific Northwest with the PRISM quartet, performing in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. This spring, he will perform at Cornell University, followed by a trip to China as a featured artist with the quartet, performing on the Beijing Modern and Tianjin May festivals.

He holds degrees from the University of Michigan (BM, BSE, MM) and Indiana University (Performer Diploma) where is studied with Donald Sinta and Otis Murphy, respectively. He has also received instruction at the Université Européenne de Saxophone in Gap, France and at the Aspen Music Festival and School.

Zachary Shemon is a Conn-Selmer artist and performs on Selmer (Paris) saxophones. He is also a Rico Performing Artist and endorses Rico Reserve Classic saxophone reeds.