It’s an amazing piece which is at once spell-binding, moving and fun at the same time.

"`Urban Requiem,' according to Michael Colgrass, `might be described as an urban tale, inspired by a diversity of random impressions. I thought of our urban areas, where the saxophone was spawned, and of the tragedies and struggles that occur in this environment daily. But I was also inspired by the energy and power of our cities and the humor inherent in their conflicts. I feel that the saxophone is particularly well suited to express the variety of emotions required for this idea, because it can be not only highly personal and poignant in character, but also powerful and commanding...In my mind, I heard four saxophones singing in a vocal quartet, a music that was liturgical in nature but with a bluesy overtone, a kind of "after hours" requiem.'

To find out more about the piece, check out:

http://www.michaelcolgrass.com/

Recordings:
University of Miami
Great Lakes Saxophone Quartet

Concert info:

More shots from our U.O.P. rehearsals:

David Henderson and Aaron Lington


Dale Wolford and Kevin Stewart