Northstar Saxophone Quartet to give March 9 concert at WWU

Western Washington University’s Department of Music will host the Northstar Saxophone Quartet at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9 in the Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater.

The free performance will feature Scott Granlund, soprano saxophone; WWU Music faculty Nicole Barnes, alto saxophone; Bryan Smith, tenor saxophone; and Jay Easton, baritone saxophone. The evening program will include works by Piazzolla, Lukas, Glass and others. They will also perform a Northwest premiere of "Quartet" by award-winning composer Wes Matthews.

The Northstar Saxophone Quartet embodies the beauty and versatility of the saxophone. The warmth and finesse of a string quartet is combined with the diverse sounds and styles of wind instruments, resulting in a rich, sonic experience. The quartet’s repertoire spans over six centuries; rare and historical saxophones are often included in their programs to demonstrate the full range of the saxophone family.

In conjunction with the performance, Nicole Barnes will conduct a master class from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10 in PAC Room 16. The master class is free and open to the public. For additional information about this educational opportunity, please contact the WWU Department of Music at (360) 650-3130.

Barnes is a recent graduate from the New England Conservatory, where she received her master’s degree in saxophone performance. Barnes has toured the Netherlands with the Boston-based Thump Saxophone Quartet, and in 2004 Barnes performed for large audiences with the University of Washington Saxophone Quartet in Japan.

Barnes was the first undergraduate in the United States to premiere David Kechley’s “Restless Birds Before the Dark Moon” in 2004.

For more information about this performance please call the WWU’s Music Department at (360) 650-3130.