Saxophone Dominates MTNA Nationals

The finalists for the 2008-2009 MTNA National Competition finalists have been announced and it's a big win for the Saxophone. In the Young Artist National Finals, 5 out of 7 finalists are Saxophonists. In the Chamber Music National Finals 4 out of 7 are Saxophone Quartets. In the Senior and Junior divisions the Flute is King (or Queen), with 5 of 7 finalists in each competition. In my opinion this speaks to the excellent Middle School, and High School education that many flutists receive. Perhaps it is that young Saxophonists don't start to focus on solo competition repertoire until college. Whatever the reason there is a lot of ground to make up for the saxophone to catch up to the flute in grade 6-12. The National Competition will be held March 28 - April 1 2009 in Atlanta Georgia. Good Luck to all!



CHAMBER MUSIC NATIONAL FINALISTS 2008-2009

Hi-Def Saxophone Quartet
Univeristy of Illinois, Debra Richtmeyer - Coach
Noa Even, Soprano Saxophone
Dave Tribley, Alto Saxophone
Collin Wilson, Tenor Saxophone
Phil Pierick, Baritone Saxophone


Red line Saxophone Quartet
Eastman School of Music, Chien-Kwan Lin - Coach
Doug O’Connor, Soprano Saxophone
Brandon Kies, Alto Saxophone
Gai Qun, Tenor Saxophone
Quinn Lewis, Baritone Saxophone


Sinombre Piano Trio
University of Oregon, Claire Wachter/Dean Kramer - Coaches
Ben Corbin, Piano
Han Jun Lee, Violin
Talia Lindsley, Cello


North Texas Saxophone Quartet
University of North Texas, Eric Nestler - Coach
Joey Resendez, Soprano Saxophone
Chris Dickhaus, Alto Saxophone
Doug Stone, Tenor Saxophone
Sarah Roberts, Baritone Saxophone


Krang Quartet
University of Southern Mississippi, Lawrence Gwozdz- Coach
Ryan Raziano, Soprano Saxophone
Thomas Giles, Alto Saxophone
David Wozniak, Tenor Saxophone
Noah Madison, Baritone Saxophone


Arizona Graduate Winds
University of Arizona, William Dietz - Coach
Erica Schiller, Flute
Devin Gardner, Oboe
Lisa Kachouee, Clarinet
Jason Souliere, Bassoon
J. Miller, Horn


Honors Fetter
Washburn University, Larisa Elisha - Coach
William Darst, Violin
Carlos Cabezas, Violin
Manuel Tabora, Viola
Samuel Cho, Cello




YOUNG ARTIST NATIONAL FINALISTS 2008-2009 - WOODWIND

Noa Even - Saxophone - Debra Richtmeyer - Teacher

Quinn Elliott Lewis - Saxophone - Chien-Kwan Lin - Teacher

Daniel M. Goodrich - Saxophone - Fred Winkler - Teacher

Won Lee - Flute - Marianne Gedigian - Teacher

Wonkak Kim - Clarinet - Frank Kowalsky - Teacher

Derek Granger - Saxophone - Timothy McAllister - Teacher

John Cummins - Saxophone - Eugene Rousseau - Teacher

Full Results




SENIOR NATIONAL FINALISTS 2008-2009 - WOODWIND

Jennifer Zhou - Flute - Beth Owen - Teacher

Christi Rajnes - Flute - Beverly Rajnes - Teacher

Emily K. Potter - Flute - Sandy Duffy Norman - Teacher

Alicia Mielke - Flute - Marianne Gedigian - Teacher

James Moon - Clarinet - Kenneth Lee - Teacher

Marley Eder - Flute - Jim Walker - Teacher

Charlie Fiorillo - Saxophone - Jean Lansing - Teacher

Full Results




JUNIOR NATIONAL FINALISTS 2008-2009- WOODWIND

Christine Murphy - Flute - Hideko Amano - Teacher

David Kim - Clarinet - Ju Young Lee - Teacher

Zachary Kellogg - Flute - Bonnie Blanchard - Teacher

Grace Choe - Flute - Monica Song - Teacher

Edward Cai - Clarinet - Kenneth Lee - Teacher

Catherine Winters - Flute - Elizabeth Weissman - Teacher

Kathryn Woodward - Flute - Margaret Peterson - Teacher

Full Results