SJSU
Dahl Concerto
Mar/11/11 11:10
Once again, I’m slow to update this blog! But I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed performing the Ingolf Dahl Saxophone Concerto with the SJSU Wind Ensemble under the direction off Dr. Edward Harris last night at SJSU. It seems I perform this monumental work about once a decade and each time is more fun than the last. It continues to grow on me as for the great work it is in the musical repertoire.
Dr. Harris’ program notes included a “fun” quote from Igor Stravinsky in a discussion Dahl had as he began to write the concerto, “ I don’t know, to me a saxophone always sounds like a pink slimy worm.” Thankfully Dahl didn’t listen to his teacher and the piece was premiered on May 17, 1949 (my birthday!)
The premiere performance was a much longer work than the pared down version we did last night at SJSU after Dahl revised it in 1954. You can read a history of the revisions in Paul Cohen’s insightful analysis.
For those of you interested, here is one of my favorite recordings:
Now I’m off to practice for the upcoming SF Ballet “Chroma” rehearsals/performances!
Dr. Harris’ program notes included a “fun” quote from Igor Stravinsky in a discussion Dahl had as he began to write the concerto, “ I don’t know, to me a saxophone always sounds like a pink slimy worm.” Thankfully Dahl didn’t listen to his teacher and the piece was premiered on May 17, 1949 (my birthday!)
The premiere performance was a much longer work than the pared down version we did last night at SJSU after Dahl revised it in 1954. You can read a history of the revisions in Paul Cohen’s insightful analysis.
For those of you interested, here is one of my favorite recordings:
- Joseph Lulloff with the Michigan State University Wind Ensemble
Now I’m off to practice for the upcoming SF Ballet “Chroma” rehearsals/performances!
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SJSU Alumni Sax Ensemble Concert - A Success!
Apr/12/10 10:16
Recapping of the concert, including the memorable prose of Robert Klimowski about Bill Trimble (1938-2010) Read More...
Sad News- Bill Trimble
Feb/28/10 11:14
I received word this week that Bill Trimble had passed away from a heart attack on Monday, February 22, 2010 at a Seattle area hospital. He had been ill for the past couple of years and was an amazing fighter as he went through the trials and tribulations of his fight. I spoke with his wife, Fabia yesterday and she said he had kept up his membership in the Musicians Union until last month--evidence that he was determined to keep playing and creating.
He was a pioneer in the saxophone world. Starting the first saxophone performance major on the West coast at San Jose State University, actively getting composers to write for the instrument and influencing two generations of saxophonists through his teaching. He retired from San Jose State in 2005 to a wonderful home on the Kitsap Peninsula across the Puget Sound from Seattle. I was fortunate to get to visit him there and see how happy he was with his family and new home.
He was a huge influence on my musical life--I began studies with him when I was in high school, followed by studies at San Jose State and California State University, Hayward. We have collaborated in saxophone quartets, performed in various groups like the Cabrillo Festival and San Jose Symphony together and most recently he formed the Premiere Saxophone Quartet before he retired.
The SJSU Sax Ensemble was planning to honor Bill and his legacy at SJSU in a Sax Ensemble Alumni Concert on April 10, 2010. We will now honor Bill at this concert by memorializing his musicianship, leadership and influence as a teacher and musician at the concert. If you have any stories you would like to share or as an alumni would like to participate in the concert, please email me.
He was an important part of my life and I will miss him greatly.
R.I.P. Bill!
Bill’s bio
He was a pioneer in the saxophone world. Starting the first saxophone performance major on the West coast at San Jose State University, actively getting composers to write for the instrument and influencing two generations of saxophonists through his teaching. He retired from San Jose State in 2005 to a wonderful home on the Kitsap Peninsula across the Puget Sound from Seattle. I was fortunate to get to visit him there and see how happy he was with his family and new home.
He was a huge influence on my musical life--I began studies with him when I was in high school, followed by studies at San Jose State and California State University, Hayward. We have collaborated in saxophone quartets, performed in various groups like the Cabrillo Festival and San Jose Symphony together and most recently he formed the Premiere Saxophone Quartet before he retired.
The SJSU Sax Ensemble was planning to honor Bill and his legacy at SJSU in a Sax Ensemble Alumni Concert on April 10, 2010. We will now honor Bill at this concert by memorializing his musicianship, leadership and influence as a teacher and musician at the concert. If you have any stories you would like to share or as an alumni would like to participate in the concert, please email me.
He was an important part of my life and I will miss him greatly.
R.I.P. Bill!
Bill’s bio
Recent YouTube videos by Bill:
SJSU Alumni Sax Ensemble Concert
Feb/14/10 08:44
I’m in the midst of setting up an alumni concert for all past San Jose State University Sax Ensemble members. It will be April 10th at 7:30pm. We want to celebrate the great players and teachers who have gone through the SJSU saxophone program over the last 40 years.
Bill Trimble retired 5 years ago and I was fortunate to take over the program. We have been growing, with some excellent players, a large saxophone ensemble, and a very positive atmosphere that reminds me of my own days at SJSU in the 1970’s.
The plan is to rehearse the day of the program, as well as having additional rehearsals on March 23 and April 6 from 7-9pm. There will be opportunities for alumni to participate as a player, composer, arranger, conductor or just to attend the concert and hang out afterward. I plan to include pieces from the past that many alumni have arranged or composed, including the infamous “Shot Down of La Grange” by Brad Barnett (complete with special effects,) and many others.
In addition, we will honor professor emeritus Bill Trimble with a special tribute. I invited Bill to come, but due to health issues, he will be unable to attend. I hope to celebrate his “presence” through some special presentation at the concert.
I have set up a Facebook Event to help communication in advance of the concert. In addition, if you have photos or stories from your time at SJSU that we could share, post them on Facebook.
Please send me an email at dale.wolford-at- sjsu.edu (replace the -at- with the @ symbol!) if you’ll be attending and we can start communicating with you about the event. Let me know if you want to play or do other things at the concert. In addition, please pass the word to anyone that is an alumni and might want to attend.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Bill Trimble retired 5 years ago and I was fortunate to take over the program. We have been growing, with some excellent players, a large saxophone ensemble, and a very positive atmosphere that reminds me of my own days at SJSU in the 1970’s.
The plan is to rehearse the day of the program, as well as having additional rehearsals on March 23 and April 6 from 7-9pm. There will be opportunities for alumni to participate as a player, composer, arranger, conductor or just to attend the concert and hang out afterward. I plan to include pieces from the past that many alumni have arranged or composed, including the infamous “Shot Down of La Grange” by Brad Barnett (complete with special effects,) and many others.
In addition, we will honor professor emeritus Bill Trimble with a special tribute. I invited Bill to come, but due to health issues, he will be unable to attend. I hope to celebrate his “presence” through some special presentation at the concert.
I have set up a Facebook Event to help communication in advance of the concert. In addition, if you have photos or stories from your time at SJSU that we could share, post them on Facebook.
Please send me an email at dale.wolford-at- sjsu.edu (replace the -at- with the @ symbol!) if you’ll be attending and we can start communicating with you about the event. Let me know if you want to play or do other things at the concert. In addition, please pass the word to anyone that is an alumni and might want to attend.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Spring update
May/30/08 16:09
It’s been a while since my last update! I’ve been busy performing with the Premiere Sax Quartet, SF Ballet and teaching at San Jose State.
The PSQ performed at the NASA (North American Saxophone Alliance) Biennial Convention at the University of South Carolina in August. We premiered Lucie Robert’s “Issos” for saxophone quartet and piano. I was only at the convention for 24 hours, as I had to hurry back to rehearse with the San Francisco Ballet for Yuri Possikov’s “Fusion,” part of their New Works Festival in late April and early May. It was an exciting time performing Graham Fitkin’s “Hard Fairy” for soprano saxophone and two pianos, along with his “Bed,” for two soprano saxes (with the wonderful Jim Dukey on the other sax part,) 2 violins, 2 cellos, string bass, marimba and piano. It looks like I’ll be going on tour to perform “Fusion” with the ballet in NYC at the New York City Center from October 10-18 this fall. In addition, the ballet will be part of the 2009 season again, as well. It’s Exciting!
The PSQ finished recording everything on our CD, Magheia. We hope to have it out by the fall. Check out more info on the quartet’s website.
Things are going well as SJSU. The saxophone studio continues to grow and get stronger. There were several excellent performances this semester, including graduate student Jonathan Bautista Lagunte’s recital in May. I also enjoyed observing and working with students and interns in the music education credential program as well as teaching an instrumental methods course for music education majors.
Come here me play a concerto, Sapphire by Catherine McMichael, with the Villages Band, a retirement community in San Jose on June 8 at 2:30pm. Check out my Concerts page for more info.
I’m looking foward to having time to practice, garden, sail and prepare for next year this summer. I promise to post more frequently in the coming months--thanks for visiting!
Dale
The PSQ performed at the NASA (North American Saxophone Alliance) Biennial Convention at the University of South Carolina in August. We premiered Lucie Robert’s “Issos” for saxophone quartet and piano. I was only at the convention for 24 hours, as I had to hurry back to rehearse with the San Francisco Ballet for Yuri Possikov’s “Fusion,” part of their New Works Festival in late April and early May. It was an exciting time performing Graham Fitkin’s “Hard Fairy” for soprano saxophone and two pianos, along with his “Bed,” for two soprano saxes (with the wonderful Jim Dukey on the other sax part,) 2 violins, 2 cellos, string bass, marimba and piano. It looks like I’ll be going on tour to perform “Fusion” with the ballet in NYC at the New York City Center from October 10-18 this fall. In addition, the ballet will be part of the 2009 season again, as well. It’s Exciting!
The PSQ finished recording everything on our CD, Magheia. We hope to have it out by the fall. Check out more info on the quartet’s website.
Things are going well as SJSU. The saxophone studio continues to grow and get stronger. There were several excellent performances this semester, including graduate student Jonathan Bautista Lagunte’s recital in May. I also enjoyed observing and working with students and interns in the music education credential program as well as teaching an instrumental methods course for music education majors.
Come here me play a concerto, Sapphire by Catherine McMichael, with the Villages Band, a retirement community in San Jose on June 8 at 2:30pm. Check out my Concerts page for more info.
I’m looking foward to having time to practice, garden, sail and prepare for next year this summer. I promise to post more frequently in the coming months--thanks for visiting!
Dale