SECOND PRIZE
Akira Quartet
USA
Kyle White, soprano saxophone
Jack Thorpe, alto saxophone
Joshua Heaney, tenor saxophone
Bradley Karas, baritone saxophone
Score: 89.77
Akira Quartet is an Atlanta-based chamber ensemble consisting of advanced saxophone students of Dr. Jan Berry Baker at Georgia State University. Akira, translating from Japanese to "clarity and graceful strength," represents the aesthetic quality which the quartet wishes to embody. We strive to contribute to the concert saxophone community through authentic performances that realize the qualities that our name, "Akira," implies. We also desire to leave a lasting contribution to the community, beyond performing as a group. Akira Quartet plans to achieve this goal through the commissioning and promoting new music for the saxophone quartet medium.
Wolfram Wagner: 2. Saxophon Quartette - 8.5 minutes
György Ligeti: Six Bagatelles (arr. Johnny Salinas) - 12 minutes
