Department of Music

Siskiyou Saxophone Orchestra

Next performance Friday February 19th, 2010 7:30PM SOU Music Recital Hall

SSO will open for the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers February 14th at 3PM in the SOU Recital Hall

Also see SSO in Yreka, California March 12th, at 7:30PM

The Siskiyou Saxophone Orchestra (SSO) led by Artistic Director Dr. Rhett Bender, exploits the unique voices of the entire saxophone family: bass, baritone, tenor, alto, soprano and sopranino. SSO performances showcase styles from classical music, opera highlights, American big band hits, world-music, as well as original pieces written for the SSO. In October 2007 the SSO traveled to China where they performed to mobs of admiring music fans. As the guests of Mercury Saxophones, the SSO performed at the China Music Trade Show in Shanghai and at the northern seaside resort city of Yantai. The SSO have performed live on the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Greenshow and KTVL Channel 10 Morning News. They were recently honored by being selected for a performance at the XVth World Saxophone Congress in Bangkok, Thailand.

Rhett Bender D.Mus.A., is a Professor of Music at Southern Oregon University. Additionally, he is the Region 1 Director of the Saxophone Alliance and has performed and at World Saxophone Congresses, presented master-classes throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico, and performed and taught many times at the Sichuan Conservatory of Classical Music in Chengdu, China. He is one of the featured saxophonists on AUR’s landmark seven volume CD set, America’s Millennium Tribute to Adolphe Sax – nominated for a Grammy in 2000. Rhett Bender is a Yamaha performing artist and clinician.

2009-2010 MEMBERS

INSTRUMENT

Jamie Krull

sopranino

See video performances of the SSO at youtube.com/bendersaxophone

Click below to listen to mp3 audio

Queen of Sheba

In the Mood

Gesangla threnody for Sichuan Earthquake

Tang Di

soprano

Steve Davidson

alto

Kylee Rohrbacker

alto

David Whipp

alto

Holly Kruggel

tenor

Andrew Krug

tenor

Keith Smelcer

baritone

Tovi Olivolo

bass

Rhett Bender

Director

Audiences leaving a recent concert proclaimed

I cannot believe how beautiful saxophones sound–what a sonority!

It was wonderful. I really enjoyed myself.

This is an amazing group... Thank YOU Rhett! I took my Mom and two of her friends and they are STILL talking about how great the SSO is. All three of them were in tears at some point during the concert. Can't wait till Feb ...

Saxophone symphony on Friday was AMAZING - can't wait for their next one

They were great. It's amazing that saxophones can have such power. I didn't want it to end.

It was another great event offered by the music department. –The Siskiyou

I play the saxophone and they were impressive.

Openings are available on baritone, tenor and alto saxophones. Saxophone playing SOU students may contact Rhett Bender for audition information.

The Siskiyou Saxophone Orchestra and the Saxophone Orchestra of the

Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu on a recent trip to China.