Steven Banks, saxophone soloist, will perform in concert Sunday, November 13, at 2:00 p.m. at the Brownville Concert Hall with a program that will feature works by Saint-Saens, J.S. Bach and Rachmaninoff.
Recognized for his “glowing mahogany tone” (Seen and Heard International) and “breathtaking” (Classical Voice of NC) performances, Steven Banks is establishing himself as an important young artist on the saxophone.
Sponsors of the show are Mary and John Lauber. Banks is offering to give a free master class in saxophone 30 minutes after the show. Students must bring their instrument and sheet music. Call 402-825-3331 to register for the master class and receive a free ticket to the show.
The winner of the prestigious 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Steven is an ambassador for the classical saxophone, establishing himself as both a compelling and charismatic soloist, dedicated to showcasing the vast capabilities of the instrument, as well as an advocate for expanding its repertoire. He is the first saxophonist to capture first prize at the Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions (2019).
Steven made his debut at the Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, with the St. Lawrence String Quartet and will reunite with the quartet this season on the Stanford Live series at Bing Concert Hall.
An emerging composer, the music of Steven Banks showcases “a unique and ambitious blend of feelings and sounds” and portrays “a deep intimacy” and “a sense of vulnerability” (Cleveland Classical).
Steven’s original composition for alto saxophone and string quartet titled “Cries, Sighs and Dreams” premiered at Carnegie hall alongside the Borromeo String Quartet and was performed again this past summer at the Aspen Music Festival and School.
Steven has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Saxophone Performance with a minor in Jazz Studies from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and Master of Music degree from the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.brownvilleconcertseries.com, on Facebook, or call 402-825-3331. They are $25 for adults and $16 for students. The Nebraska Arts Council (www.nebraskaartscouncil.org), a state agency, supports this program through a matching grant funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.
