DEREK GRANGER | saxophonist & educator
Upcoming and recent events
Premieres
Conference Performance
@ NASA 2023 Region 4 Conference
April 14th-16th, 2023
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX
Time and location TBA
I will premiere non-poem 8 by Jonathan Ragonese as well as my arrangements of two of Béla Kovács Hommages for solo clarinet (M. DeFalla and R. Strauss).
Scholarship, pedagogy
Conference Lecture
@ NASA 2023 Biennial Conference
March 30th-April 2nd, 2023
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS
March 31st, 9am, RC Room
This presentation is based on my dissertation, which explores historical and current pedagogies of voice and saxophone to identify and evaluate instances of voice concepts appearing in saxophone texts. This comprehensive study brings needed insight into the manner in which saxophone pedagogues use the voice as a model for saxophone playing, ranging from useful applications to inappropriate conclusions. My evaluation of saxophone pedagogy results from critically comparing saxophone pedagogues’ statements about tone production with those from mainstream vocal pedagogy and science.
Conference Presentation
Two-Minute Teaching Tip
@ International Conference for Saxophone Pedagogy
and Performance
February 26, 2023
9:25am EST
Online (register on website)
Mini-presentation on positive and concrete strategies to help students use mistakes productively in the practice room.
Music Teaching
Saxophone Instructor
@ Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
June 22-July 17, 2022
Sessions 1 and 2
Northern Michigan
I look forward to returning to Blue Lake for a third season to teach the awesome BLFAC campers in saxophone techniques and music theory courses!
Chamber Recital
Graduate Reed Quintet Recital
@ The Hartt School
May 10, 2022, 7:30pm
Berkman Recital Hall
The Hartt School
Hartford, CT
Open to the Hartt campus and guests
Streaming link click here
A program of classical and contemporary works for reed quintet by Mozart, Schumann, Biedenbender, and Gershwin. (Originally planned to occur at the Macauley but now will be streaming to the residents of the Macauley due to Covid restrictions)
Class Recital
Music of India Ensemble
An Evening Recital of Ragas
April 25, 2022, 8:30pm
Room 21
The Hartt School
A collection of Hindustani ragas performed by the members of the Music of India Ensemble (myself on saxophones and clarinet), led by Suhail Yusuf, sarangi with Pranav Ghatraju, tabla.
Lecture Recital
DMA Lecture Recital "The Vocal Model"
April 19, 2022, 5:00pm
The Hartt School
Berkman Recital Hall
In-person and streaming
The Vocal Model: Evaluating Influences of Bel Canto on Saxophone Pedagogy with New Applications for Tonal Development
Studio Recital
Spring Fling::A Saxophone Studio Recital
April 15, 2022, 7:30pm
The Hartt School
Berkman Recital Hall
In-person and streaming
The graduate reed quintet will perform David Biedenbender's Refraction. I will also play a graduating student feature and conduct the saxophone ensemble in Bennett's Suite of Old American Dances.
Ensemble Concert
Foot in the Door Ensemble
Milhaud La création du monde
March 2, 2022, 7:30pm
The Hartt School
Lincoln Theater
In person and streaming on Hartt Livestream
Virtual Conference Recital
Conference Performance
@ International Conference for Saxophone Pedagogy and Performance
February 26, 2022, 3:00pm
Online only
Registration required
www.saxophonepedagogyandperformance.com
Wood Song by Jenni Brandon, Vocalissimus by Chase Jordan
Concerto Performance
Paranov Winners'Concert
Ingolf Dahl Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble
February 4, 2022, 7:30pm
The Hartt School
Lincoln Theatre
In-person and streaming
Catch the entire concert including all four Paranov soloists on Hartt Livestream. Glen Adsit, James Jackson and Edward Cumming, conductors.
Solo Recital
Derek's DMA Solo Recital #2
November 19, 2021, 5pm
The Hartt School
Berkman Recital Hall
In-person and streaming
Join pianist Elisabeth Tomczyk and me for an evening of contemporary saxophone works in my second and final solo recital for my Doctorate of Musical Arts degree. Works by Gryc, Leroux, Sekhon, Jordan and Dahl.
Ensemble Concert
Foot in the Door Ensemble
Stephen Gryc's Fantasy Variations
September 22, 2021, 7:30pm
The Hartt School
Lincoln Theatre
In-person and streaming
Hartt faculty emeritus composer Stephen Gryc's Fantasy Variations on a theme of Béla Bartók is scored for soprano saxophone solo and string quartet. Inspired by his own Slavic ancestry, Gryc's variations go beyond the historically formulaic genre with wide musical and expressive contrasts. Catch the Gryc and the entire concert on the Hartt Livestream! Glen Adsit and Edward Cumming, conductors.