FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 15, 2005 - Sylvia Bierschenk

SFA presents West Point Saxophone Trio

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The West Point Saxophone Trio, from the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, New York, will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Cole Concert Hall. The recital, which is a joint presentation of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and Department of Music, is free and open to the public.

The trio is comprised of Sergeant First Class Wayne Tice, Staff Sergeant Brian Broelmann and Staff Sergeant Chris Rettie, all of whom are members of the saxophone section of the academy's concert band.

According to the ensemble's Web site, the trio performs "a wide variety of music within the classical, jazz and popular idioms and exposes its audience to the technical virtuosity, tonal beauty and versatility of which the saxophone family is capable.".

Dr. Brian Utley, SFA assistant professor of music, said the program will consist of music for various combinations and types of saxophones--soprano, alto, tenor and baritone.

Utley will join the trio on a piece written for saxophone quartet, and Dr. Ron Petti, SFA director of accompanying, will provide accompaniment on three pieces.

Tice is the principal saxophonist with the United States Military Academy Band, which he joined in 1995. He is also an active performer, soloist, teacher and clinician.

He was a featured soloist at the 2002 Biennial North American Saxophone Alliance and at the 2003 World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensemble Conference in Jonkoping, Sweden.

Tice received a bachelor' degree in music from Old Dominion University and a master's degree in music from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Broelmann has been a member of the United States Military Academy Band since 2001. He has performed at regional, national and international saxophone conferences, both as a soloist and in chamber settings.

He also appears as a banjo soloist with the United States Military Academy Concert Band and performs with the West Point Dixie Players.

Broelmann holds degrees in music education and music performance from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York, Potsdam.

Rettie has been with the United States Military Academy Band since 2001. He is currently a doctoral candidate in saxophone performance at Louisiana State University where he also received his master's degree.

He is a co-founder and baritone saxophonist with the Red Stick Saxophone Quartet which has performed at the 12th World Saxophone Congress in Montreal and the 43rd Annual Meeting of the College Music Society in Toronto. The quartet has been a finalist in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competitions and the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competitions.

The West Point Saxophone Trio will be on the SFA campus for two days. In addition to performing the recital, the members will present a saxophone master class and provide private lessons for SFA students.

For more information on the recital, please call (936) 468-6407.