Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival Sept. 14-15

The Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival Sept. 14-15 at Augustana will include masterclasses, workshops, discussions and recitals. 

Saxophonist and composer Nick Zoulek is the guest artist for the festival and will perform Saturday night.

All events are free and open to the public. Events will take place in Larson Hall inside the Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts.

Zoulek’s debut album, “Rushing Past Willow” in 2016, won praise from reviewers. “Zoulek’s performance, on saxophones in every range, is stunningly virtuosic, whatever the genre,” said the Wall Street Journal.

He has a bachelor’s in music performance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and has served on the faculty there teaching saxophone and jazz studies.  

Zoukek holds a master of music performance degree from Bowling Green State University and is pursuing a doctor of musical arts degree in contemporary music performance there. He also has a music certificate from the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régionale de Boulogne-Billancourt.

Dr. Randall Hall, Augustana associate professor of music, will perform Friday night. He has recorded on several labels and his compositions are published on Reed Music. In addition to saxophone Dr. Hall also teaches improvisation, music theory, electronic music, and co-directs Augustana’s summer session in Paris. 

Friday’s schedule

4 p.m.:  Saxophone masterclass with Nick Zoulek 
7:30 p.m.: Faculty recital by Dr. Randall Hall

Saturday’s schedule

3 p.m.:  Improvisation workshop with Nick Zoulek
4 p.m.:  Recital by the Augustana Saxophone Studio
5 p.m.:  Discussion of modern music, an interview and Q&A with Nick Zoulek
7 p.m.:  Recital by guest artist Nick Zoulek