Chamber Ensembles
Saxophone Quartet
Students in the saxophone studio have the opportunity to play in saxophone quartets each year. These quartets vary from undergraduate to graduate level. In the past, quartets have gone on to win in many different competitions, including the National MTNA Chamber competition, Coleman, Fischoff and North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition.
Graduate Saxophone Quartet:
Scott Augustine – soprano
Jack Thorpe – alto
Wilson Poffenberger – tenor
Michael Chapa – baritone
Coached by Professor Richtmeyer
Scott Augustine – soprano
Jack Thorpe – alto
Wilson Poffenberger – tenor
Michael Chapa – baritone
Coached by Professor Richtmeyer
Undergraduate Saxophone Quartets:
Sage Degand – soprano
Kyle Soliz – alto
Nate Maher – tenor
Mitchell Berg – baritone
Coached by Wilson Poffenberger
Claire Baranyk – soprano
Erika Pogorzelska – alto
Samir Melhado – tenor
Kyle Kreutzer – baritone
Coached by Scott Augustine
Sage Degand – soprano
Kyle Soliz – alto
Nate Maher – tenor
Mitchell Berg – baritone
Coached by Wilson Poffenberger
Claire Baranyk – soprano
Erika Pogorzelska – alto
Samir Melhado – tenor
Kyle Kreutzer – baritone
Coached by Scott Augustine
Saxophone Ensemble
The University of Illinois Saxophone Ensemble, affectionately known as "Sax Band," is an entirely voluntary group consisting of music majors and non-majors in the saxophone studio at the University of Illinois. Founded by Gabriel Piqué in the spring of 2018, this ensemble combines high-level musicianship with unique arrangements to create a fun and enriching concert experience. The ensemble gave a recital at the 2019 North American Saxophone Alliance's Region 5 Conference held at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Large Ensembles
University of Illinois Bands
University of Illinois Bands is proud to be the world's largest college band program, offering students the highest quality musical experiences in thirteen wind ensembles. UI Bands offers four concert bands including the famous Illinois Wind Symphony, a British Brass Band, three Basketball Bands, the Orange & Blues, the renowned 350-member Marching Illini, and the Summer Band. Over 850 students participate in these outstanding groups each semester.
For more information, please visit bands.illinois.edu.
Illinois Modern Ensemble
The Illinois Modern Ensemble, under the musical direction of Professor Stephen Taylor, is the new music ensemble of the University of Illinois. The ensemble is both a learning tool and a way of introducing the participants to an experimental environment, and is comprised of some of the university's finest musicians. Its repertoire includes works by well-known composers as well as representatives of a diverse array of contemporary trends. Student compositions are played regularly, and members of the ensemble ensure the performance of University of Illinois works at the Midwestern Composers' Symposium, which brings together student and faculty composers from major Midwestern music schools.
