Chamber Music Magazine has called them “Saxophone Ambassadors.” The Mana Quartet is again part of the National Music Festival at Washington College, bringing new music to entertain those who have enjoyed them in the past and to those who will become saxophone lovers after having the opportunity to hear them.
“Mana” is a Polynesian word referring to “a supernatural force expressing energy and power.” The Quartet has won national acclaim in chamber music circles since their start in 2004. They are one of the National Music Festival’s ensembles-in-residence, both giving concerts and conducting a two-week workshop for 17 aspiring saxophonists who are attending from all over the country. They intersperse selections by Bach and other classical composers with contemporary music.
All members have degrees in saxophone performance and teach at the college level in Arizona and Florida. Soprano saxophonist Michael Hernandez says, “We love playing for the Chestertown community. They seem to share our enthusiasm for the saxophone, our story of the history of this instrument, and the music we have adapted for our saxophones. The interest shown by Chestertown audiences in the past has been much appreciated!
“We are quite excited about this year’s program that we are sharing with Chestertown: Happy Birthday Mr. Sax celebrates the 200th birthday of our instrument’s inventor, Adolphe Sax. The Mana Quartet will take the audience on an historical journey while exploring the evolution of the saxophone quartet!”
This free concert will take place at Hotchkiss Recital Hall, Washington College, on Monday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m.
The Quartet’s use of historical instruments is particularly intriguing. All play saxophones that were made in the 1920s, 30s or 40s.
“I am very excited that the National Music Festival at Washington College is returning again in June. I know I am prejudiced since I serve on the Festival board, but not only do I love the world-class music the Festival provides us, but I love what it does for Kent County. The Festival provides music for all ages at a reasonable cost and, at many venues, at no cost. How lovely to be able to drive to Washington College or the Garfield Center or Emmanuel Church or to Betterton or Rock Hall to hear amazing music performed by professional classical musicians and music students on the cusp of their careers and not have to ‘cross the bridge.’ So, if you have not experienced the Music Festival, come hear a world-class symphony orchestra, or attend a music master class, or see a rehearsal at no cost, or hear a pre-concert talk, or hear music in Fountain Park after you purchase your vegetables at the Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning during the Festival. Oh, and be sure to welcome the musicians when you see them in Chestertown. They are the ones carrying instruments and have smiles on their faces because they have become guests of Kent County for two weeks in June,” says Laura Wade, Chair of the Festival’s Board of Directors.
Adolphe Sax, a Belgian, designed a number of instruments. He invented a family of “saxhorns” for the French army. He patented the saxophone in 1846, part ophicleide and part clarinet.
Mr. Sax invented the instrument in 1846, to provide a sound that could fill in the acoustical gaps in an orchestra, according to Dannel Espinoza, the baritone saxophonist. The result was a tone that was highly praised by composers such as Berlioz, Rossini and Meyerbeer. Over the years the saxophone has undergone an acoustical evolution that has changed this character. Mana Quartet has chosen the “vintage” sound.
The Quartet will be performing at several Eastern Shore locations through June 15, including the Betterton Community Center (June 2), Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michael’s (June 4), Adkins Arboretum in Ridgely (June 5), and at Washington College on June 9. Students attending their workshop will also have the opportunity to perform for the public throughout the Festival; workshop concerts will take place on June 8 at 3:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Church, and on June 14 at 3:30 p.m. at The Mainstay in Rock Hall.
The National Music Festival at Washington College runs June 1-15. For schedules and tickets to events, see www.nationalmusic.us or call (410) 778-2064. Also visit the Quartet’s website: www.manaquartet.com.
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