Monday, February 19, 2001

WILMINGTON -- The UNCW Department of Music presents the first of seven concerts of the 2001 Artist Recital Series at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28, in Kenan Auditorium.



The first concert will feature saxophonist John Sampen in a recital of solo saxophone and saxophone with taped instruments. The recital will feature a variety of twentieth-century compositions for saxophone, including Wings by Joan Tower; Memo 6 by Bernard Rands; Concerto I for Alto Saxophone and Taped Instruments by Burton Beerman; Visions in Metaphor by Marilyn Shrude; Definitions Aria by Rodney Waschka II; and Waterwings by Mark Bunce.

As one of America&Mac226;s leading concert saxophonists, John Sampen is particularly recognized as a distinguished artist in contemporary literature. He has commissioned over sixty new works, including compositions by Babbit, Bolcom, Cage, and Rands and has premiered saxophone versions of music by Lutoslawski, Stockhausen, and Tower. In 1970, Sampen was recitalist and certificate winner at the prestigious International Geneva Concours in Switzerland and has soloed with ensembles from all over the world. Sampen has recorded with Belgian and Swiss National Radio and is represented on the Orion, CRI, Albany, and Capstone record labels. A Selmer clinician, he has presented master classes at important universities and conservatories throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. In addition to contemporary literature, Sampen regularly performs traditional saxophone repertoire in recital with pianist/composer Marilyn Shrude. He holds degrees from Northwestern University and has studied with Fred Hemke, Donald Sinta, and Larry Teal. Dr. Sampen is a Distinguished Artist Professor at Bowling Green State University.



The remaining concerts of the series include UNCW artist faculty Barry David Salwen, piano on March 1; classical guitarist, Bryce Masterson, on March 12; UNCW artist faculty, Frank Bongiorno, saxophone, on March 14; Duo Firenze, antique guitar and fortepiano, on March 16; UNCW artist faculty Denise Peterson, violin, and Richard Thomas, cello, on April 9; and Nancy King, soprano, with Emery Stephens, baritone, Patricia Ainspac, piano, and Robert Nathanson, classical guitar, on April 21. All concerts are in Kenan Auditorium and begin at 8 p.m.



Tickets for individual performances are $10 general admission; $5 for UNCW faculty/staff; senior citizens and children under12, $2.50. UNCW students are admitted free with a valid ID. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact the Kenan Auditorium Box Office at (910) 962-3500 or at 1-800-732-3643. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and are used to support the Department of Music. For concert information, call 962-3390.



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