Plato felt that music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life. No one embodies that description more aptly than the Mana Saxophone Quartet, here to hold their fifth Mana Saxophone Institute in conjunction with the National Music Festival, June 5-18.
“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 the National Music Festival’s “ensemble-in-residence”, both giving concerts and conducting a two-week workshop for 19 aspiring saxophonists attending from all over the country. They intersperse selections by Bach and other classical composers with contemporary music.
Soprano saxophonist Michael Hernandez says, “Chestertown has become like our summer home. We are thrilled to be here again and so appreciate the support that this community gives us in so many ways. We have some apprentices returning for the fourth or fifth time. It’s a highlight of their year, and ours.”
Throughout the year in their travels, the Mana Quartet looks for young musicians with significant ability and, importantly, enthusiasm for the saxophone. This year they are bringing the largest number of apprentices ever, all students studying music. Generally applicants for the Institute must be 18, though one 12-year old, Jesse Blandino, from Surprise, Arizona, is back for his second year. “Normally I’d have reservations, but Jesse is meant for this,” according to Hernandez.
The Institute includes intensive classes, rehearsals (open to the public), and public performances. Instruction covers traditional aspects of performance skills and music theory as well as stage presence, marketing, and career planning. This year Hernandez will even teach a session on drawing, asking the musicians to draw what they would like their music to portray.
They will be performing several free concerts at several Chestertown locations, including at the Chestertown Farmers Market on Saturdays. Concert times and venues are listed at www.nationalmusic.us; new additions include saxophone performances on Monday, June 13, at 10:30am in Wesley Hall at Heron Point and on Friday, June 17, at 10:30am at the Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center, 200 Schauber Rd., in Chestertown. On Monday, June 6, at 7:30 pm the Quartet performs at the Betterton Community Center, and on Saturday, June 11 at noon they will be premiering a new work by composer Stephen Dankner, a quintet for piano and saxes.
For more information, contact The National Music Festival at Washington College at 410-778-2064 or [email protected].
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