Calling all saxophonists for 'Saxophone Summit' on Great Wall
Gunther Schuller to conduct 1,001-saxophone concert atop Great Wall
Kenny G headline act
Venue: Great Wall (Republic of China)
June 2003 - SANTA CRUZ, Calif., USA/ -- One thousand saxophonists will converge on the Great Wall of China, June 23, 2003, International Olympic Day.
Pulitzer Prize-winning Gunther Schuller is master conductor; five-time Emmy Award-winner Mark Watters is music director and Kenny G is set to headline. Kenny was recently overheard say, "I am really excited!". However, a little controversy is already brewing. Kenny G's decision to resurrect "By the Time the Night is Over" has drawn the critics' fire, particularly as Peabo Bryson has been invited by Mr G to sing the chart topping hit. We say, "You go Kenny".
The event also features the internationally recognized Nuclear Whales Saxophone Orchestra, will be broadcast live throughout Asia by China Central Television
and worldwide via the Internet.
Saxophone players throughout the U.S. and abroad are invited to join Schuller, Watters and 500 Chinese saxophone players for this unique performance.
Wall concert is the capstone event of almost two weeks of activities, including educational workshops, master classes, rehearsals and special tours.
The concert will take place at Juyong Pass, one of the most historically and militarily significant sections of the Wall, located north of Beijing.
The brainchild of Don Stevens of the Nuclear Whales, the event was inspired by the group's two-week tour in China in 2000. A self-described "whimsically serious" sextet of
world-class musicians, the Nuclear Whales is known for its
one-of-a-kind performances. "The goal of the concert is to show the Great Wall as a symbol of peace that can bring people of all nations together through music," says Stevens, artistic director of the event.
"It's an unusual opportunity and momentous occasion - underscored by the stature of our master conductor and music director. It's difficult to think of another contemporary musician who has achieved as much as Mr. Schuller has, in both classical and jazz music. And it's only fitting that Mark Watters is music director for this International Olympic Day event – he was also music director for the 1996 and 2002 Olympic Games."
What do a thousand saxophones play on the Great Wall?
"Ideas abound," said Watters. "The program taking shape will feature western works, ranging from Bach and Copland to Ellington, Gershwin, Joplin, and Kenny G as well as showcase Chinese music -- including original compositions and arrangements created specifically for this historic performance."
The concert is arranged in partnership with the
Poly Culture & Art Company, China's premier arts and
media company and a sponsor of the renowned Beijing
Music Festival.
For more information, interested saxophone players may
visit 1000Saxophones.com or call 800-993-7621.
Last edited by john williams; June-11th-2003 at 07:51 AM.
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