Russell
Peterson
RUSSELL PETERSON (b. 1969) An accomplished classical/jazz saxophonist,
bassoonist and composer, Russell Peterson holds degrees from Youngstown
State University (Ohio), Le Conservatoire de Bordeaux (France), and
Bowling Green State University (Ohio), where he studied with Dr. James
Umble, Donald Byo, Jean-Marie Londeix, Dr. Jeffery Lyman and Dr. John
Sampen. Winner of numerous prizes, including the top prize at the
International Geneva Saxophone Concours, (Switzerland), and first place
winner of the MTNA National Music Competition, Mr. Peterson has soloed
with orchestras in the United States as well as Europe, including the
Dana Chamber Orchestra, (USA), Concordia Orchestra, (USA), Bowling
Green Philharmonic, (USA), L'Orchestra de la Suisse Romande,
(Switzerland), Collegium Musicum, Basel (Switzerland), The
Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, The Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra
(USA), The Orchestra Conservatorio Superior De Msica
(Spain), The Western New York Chamber Orchestra (USA), and The St.
Petersburg Philharmonic, (Russia).
Mr. Peterson is an active chamber musician, performing extensively
throughout Europe and The United States with The Transcontinental
Saxophone Quartet, and is currently also performing with the Hard-Bop
Jazz Saxophone Quartet in Fargo-Moorhead. The Hard-Bop Quartet's first
CD release "DON'T STEP ON YOUR NECK", is available on Sea-Breeze
records and the TSQ's debut CD "MOUNTAIN ROADS" is available on Albany
Records. Russell's first solo CD "AMERICAN BREATH" is on Barking Dog
Records and features the music of David Maslanka, Larry Bell and
Peterson. Russell released "Russ Peterson and Friends, Jazz/Rock
Saxophone" in Jan of 2010. As an Orchestral player, Russell has
served as bassoonist with several symphony orchestras, and is currently
principal bassoonist with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, as well as
bassoonist with t he Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Wind Quintet.
Mr. Peterson has performed with some of the most notable artist in the
business: Phil Woods, Manhattan Transfer, Dave Weckle, Peter
Erskin, Henry Mancini, Gregg Bissonette, Ray Charles, Wayne Newton,
Bill Watrous, Gregg Field, Frankie Valie and the 4 Seasons, Maureen
McGovern, Samuel Sanders, The Eroica Trio, Will Kennedy, Frankie
Avalon, Tommy Igoe, Nick Brignola, Zoro, Ignacio Berroa, Terri Lyne
Carrington, the Four Tops.
As a composer, Russell has premiered his "Concerto for Alto Saxophone
and Orchestra" with Joel Revzen and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony
Orchestra in 2000, as well as his "Concerto for Alto Saxophone and
Percussion Orchestra" at Concordia College with the Tri-College
Percussion Ensemble, which GRAMOPHONE Magazine, (Feb., 2003) noted:
'Peterson's own 16-minute Concerto, featuring Spanish rhythms and a
lovely second-movement duet with vibraphone, is an effective vehicle
for his striking command of color and dynamics. The highly-charged
sound is riveting...'
He has been commissioned by the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony to compose a
"Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra" which was premiered to rave
reviews in April of 2002, including GRAMOPHONE Magazine, (May 2003),
'Peterson playing with great abandon and dazzling virtuosity, the music
has a seductive allure and visceral excitement that is more than the
sum of its purely musical parts.' A CD of The music of Russell Peterson
featuring the Saxophone and Timpani Concerto is now available from the
Fargo-Moorhead Symphony. The Fergus Falls High School Band premiered hi
band work "The Tornado of 1919" in 2001, and his new chamber works for
sax were premiered in 2003: "Sonata for Alto sax and piano" and
"Quintet for Alto sax and strings". He premiered his new "Sonata for
alto saxophone and Marimbas" with the Concordia Marimba Choir in 2006
at the Concordia Day of Percussion. Russell was commissioned by the
Fargo-Moorhead Symphony to compose an opener for the 2005-06 season.
"Between 2 Cultures" was premiered on the opening concert in Sept.
2005. His "Trio for Alto Saxophone, Violin and Piano" was
premiered at the region 3 NASA convention, April of 2007.
Russell's "Trio for flute, saxophone and piano" was premiered in
Moorhead, MN in Oct. of 2009 and was performed in Calf. at the Summer
2010 National Flute Association convention, and the National North
American Saxophone Alliance Convention in Athens, GA in March of
2010. His "Trio for Viola, Saxophone and Piano" was premiered in
2010 and is now also "Trio #2 for Flute, Saxophone and Piano."
His piece, "Sonata for alto saxophone and guitar" was
premiered summer at the 2012 World Saxophone Congress. His Concerto #2
for Saxophone and Orchestra was premiered by Wisuwat Pruksavanich, and the
Bangkok Philharmonic in Thailand.
Mr. Peterson has served on the faculty at Youngstown State University
(Ohio), The University of Toledo (Ohio), Minnesota State University
Moorhead, The Interlochen Summer Arts Camp (Michigan), The
International Music Camp, and is currently instructor of Saxophone,
Bassoon ,and Jazz ensemble Iat Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.
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Education:
Master of Music in Woodwind Performance, May, 1995, Bowling Green State
University.
Student of Dr. John Sampen (saxophone), Dr. Jeffrey Lyman (bassoon) and
Suzanne Thierry (flute).
Unanimous first prize in saxophone (Medaille d'Or a l'unanimite), 1992,
Bordeaux Conservatory, France.
Student of Jean-Marie Londeix.
Bachelor of Music in Performance (saxophone), 1991, Youngstown State
University. Student of James Umble.
Teaching Experience
1996- Instructor of Saxophone, Bassoon and Jazz Studies at Concordia
College, Moorhead, Minnesota.
1997- Instructor of Bassoon at Minnesota State University Moorhead,
Moorhead, Minnesota.
1997- Instructor of Saxophone/Bassoon at the International Music Camp
at the International Peace Gardens.
July 1996-1997, Instructor of Saxophone at The Interlochen Summer Arts
Camp, Michigan.
1995-1996 Instructor of Saxophone at University of Toledo.
1993-1995, Graduate teaching assistant at Bowling Green State
University.
1994-1995, Music Instructor at Bowling Green State University's Super
Sax Camp.
1992-1993, Saxophone instructor at Fine Arts and Music Education
Conservatory, Youngstown, Ohio.
1994-1995, Music Plus Instructor. Donated teaching time to
financially-challenged inner city Toledo children.
1992-1993 Instructor of Saxophone at Youngstown State University.
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Selected Performing Experience:
Featured Saxophone
Soloist with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, Sept. 2015. Cyber-Bird
Concerto, by Yoshimatsu.
Arranger and featured soloist with the Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome and
the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony for "Symphony Rocks!" Bluestem Theater,
Moorhead, MN every summer 2011-2015.
Named "Class Notes Artists" by Minnesota Public Radio
with the Concordia College Faculty Wind Quintet, 2015. Performed
for 2,000+ elementary student
Gave Masterclasses and performances in TRENTO and FAENZA, Italy June
2015 with the SAXART FEST.
Toured Cyprus with Transcontinental Sax Quartet, Aug. 2015.
Named "Class Notes Artists" by Minnesota Public Radio
with the Excelsior! Trio, 2014. Performed for 2,000+ elementary
students.
Gave Masterclasses and performances
in TRENTO and FAENZA, Italy 2014 with the SAXART FEST.
Gave
Masterclasses and performances in FAENZA, Italy 2013 with the SAXART
FEST.
Featured
Performer
at the 2010 North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA)
Convention, Athens, GA.
Featured
Soloist at the 2007 Region 3 North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA)
Convention, Fargo ND.
Featured soloist at the SAX SUMMIT Bismark, ND, February, 2007
Featured
soloist with the Fargo Pops Orchestra Dec, 2009.
Featured
soloist with the Fargo Pops Orchestra May, 2006.
Featured soloist with the Fargo Pops Orchestra June, 2005.
Featured soloist with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra
(Russia), May,1996.
Featured Soloist with the Bismarck-Mandan Symphnoy Orchestra, Tom
Wellen conductor, 2004.
Featured Soloist at the University of Montana Band Festival, Steve
Bolstad conductor, 2005.
Featured Soloist with the University of Manatoba Jazz Ensemble at the
Winnipeg Optimist Jazz Festival, 2004-2005.
Featured Soloist the the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, Joel
Revson, conductor, Feb. 2000.
Featured performer at the 13th World Saxophone Congress in Minneapolis,
MN, August, 2003.
Featured performer at the 12th World Saxophone Congress in Montreal,
Canada, August, 2000.
Featured Soloist at the 1998 North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA)
National Convention in Evanston, Ill. Performed Concerto for Alto
Saxophone and Orchestra by Kirk O'Riordan.
Featured Soloist the the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, Joel
Revson, conductor, January 1998.
Featured soloist with orchestra at the 1997 11th World Saxophone
Congress in Valencia, Spain. Performed, Prelude, Cadence et Finale, by
Alfred Desenclos.
Performed with the Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet at the 11th World
Saxophone Congress in Valencia, Spain. Performed David Stock's Sax
Appeal.
Featured Soloist with the Concordia College Symphony Orchestra tour of
Minnesota and Wisconsin, October - November 1996, and Concordia College
Symphony Orchestra during the 1997 summer tour of Europe -- including
concerts in Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, and Kassell.
World premiere of Larry Bell's MAHLER IN BLUE LIGHT, for saxophone,
cello, and piano. December 8, 1996, Moorhead, MN.
1996 Tour of Italy with The Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet,
including Portico, Bologna, and the Ravenna Music Festival.
1996 Tour of Canada with Sax Overseas, international saxophone quartet,
including Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer.
Solo recitals in Stuttgart (Germany) and Wurzburg (Germany), April,
1996.
Featured soloist with the L'Orchestra de la Suisse Romande
(Switzerland), Collegium Musicum Basel (Switzerland), 1995.
1996 tour of Italy with The Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet,
including The Ravenna Music Festival.
1995 tour of Cyprus and Italy with The Transcontinental Saxophone
Quartet, including Faenza, Tredozio, Ferrara, Agia Napa, Limassol,
Polis, Pathos.
1994 tour of Italy and Cyprus with The Transcontinental Saxophone
Quartet, including Faenza, Porto San Giorgio, Marradi, Cervia, Pathos,
Agia Napa, Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca.
Performer at the 10th International Saxophone Congress held in Pesaro,
Italy, 1992.
1996 Tour of Central Canada with Sax-Overseas, international saxophone
quartet, including Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer.
1994, New Music & Art Festival, Bowling Green State University.
Performance of David Stock's SAX APPEAL by The Transcontinental
Saxophone Quartet.
Series of multi-media concerts in Washington D.C. with Etienne Rolin,
French composer/saxophonist/painter, including concert at French
Embassy, November, 1993.
Series of 30 Young Person Concerts with The Transcontinental Saxophone
Quartet 1993-1995 (including schools and museums in Cleveland, Dayton
and Toledo).
Tour of Ohio and Pennsylvania with international saxophone quartet
Sax-Overseas, and Etienne Rolin, 1993, including, Youngstown State
University, Allegheny College, Ashland University, Hiram College and
McDonough Art Museum.
Performed with The Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet in the 1994 North
American Saxophone Alliance Convention in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Performer at the 10th International Saxophone Congress held in Pesaro,
Italy, 1992, European premier performance of David Maslanka's Sonata
for alto saxophone and piano.
Tour of Southern France with L'Orchestra du Conservatoire de Bordeaux,
1992.
Has Performed with: Phil Woods, Manhattan Transfer, Dave Weckle, Peter
Erskin, Henry Mancini, Gregg Bissonette, Ray Charles, Wayne Newton,
Bill Watrous, Gregg Field, Frankie Valie and the 4 Seasons, Maureen
McGovern, Samuel Sanders, The Eroica Trio, Frankie Avalon, Alex Acuna,
Nick Brignola, Zoro, Ignacio Berroa, Terri Lyne Carrington, the Four
Tops.
Former member of: Kind of Blue Jazz Quintet 1988-1991, Youngstown State
University Jazz Ensemble 1987-1991, The 4-Peace Jazz Saxophone Quartet,
The Fat Tuesday Big Band (with Ernie Krivda), The Ridge St. Jazz
Saxophone Quartet, Bowling Green Grad. Jazz Sextet, The jazz arts big
band of Fargo-Moorhead. Currently peforming with the Concordia College
Faculty Jazz Quartet, the Hard Bop saxophone quartet, Russ Peterson and
the Funk Commission.
Recitals at: Youngstown State University, Ohio 1988-93; Willoughby Fine
Arts Center, Ohio 1988; Bordeaux, France 1993; Pesaro, Italy 1992;
Bowling Green State University, Ohio 1993-5; Capital University, Ohio
1995; Lawrence University, Wisconsin 1995-1996; New Mexico State
University 1995; Albuquerque, New Mexico 1995; Oberlin Conservatory of
Music, Ohio 1995; Toledo University, Ohio 1995-96; Northwestern
University, Illinois 1995; Edmonton, Canada 1996; Geneva, Switzerland
1995; Concordia College, Moorhead MN 1996-2006; North Dakota State
University, Fargo ND 1996-2006; Northern State University, 1998;
University of North Dakota, 2001; Bemidji State University, MN 2003,
2006.
Orchestral Experience - Bassoonist with:
The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra (1996-)
Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, (1989-1996)
Greenville Symphony
Warren Chamber Orchestra
MSFO Chautauqua New York
Dana Chamber Orchestra
Bowling Green Symphony Orchestra
Youngstown State Symphonic Orchestra
Adrian Symphony Orchestra
Lima Symphony Orchestra
L'Orchestra National de Bordeaux Aqutain.
Toledo Symphony
Bowling Green Philharmonic Orchestra
L'orchestra du Conservatoire National de Region de Bordeaux
Competitions/Awards:
Winner of the Concours D'Excution Musicale Geneve - 1995 (Geneva
International Saxophone Competition), Geneva, Switzerland, 1995.
First place National Winner of MTNA (Music Teachers National
Association) competition solo division, 1995.
Winner of the Contra Cost Chamber Concerto Competition, 2000
First place National Winner of MTNA competition, Chamber Music
Division, with The Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet,1995.
Prize Winner in Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, May, 1995,
with The Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet.
Winner of Bowling Green State University concerto competition (graduate
division), December, 1994.
Semi-Finalist in Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, April,
1994, with The Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet.
Winner of Youngstown State University concerto competition
(undergraduate division), 1990.
Performed North American premiere of Ryo Noda's GEN concerto for alto
saxophone and wind orchestra
Recipiant of the Concordia College Summer Study Grant (1997), Concordia
College Centennial Scholars Grant (1999), Lake Region Arts Council
Small Grant (1999), Lake Region Arts Council Project Grant (2000)
Individual Writing and Arranging:
(see complete composition page here)
Recordings/Television Performances:
"Relapse" Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome 2015
"Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome" 2012
"Russ Peterson and Friends" Jazz/Rock Saxophone (2010)
The Hard-Bop Jazz Saxophone Quartet CD "April in Fargo" (2006)
Russell Peterson's compositions performed by the Fargo-Moorhead
Symphony (2001)
Russell Peterson's Classical saxophone CD "AMERICAN BREATH" (1998)
The Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet CD "MOUNTAIN ROADS" (1999)
The Hard-Bop Jazz Saxophone Quartet CD "Don't Step On Your Neck" (1999)
Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet cassette, 1995.
Richard and Shawn Mathey, Without a Song. With the Great Lakes Aria
Orchestra, 1994.
Youngstown State University Jazz Ensemble, Things to Come, 1991.
Youngstown State University Jazz Ensemble, Live at Peabodys Down Under,
1990.
PIK 1 (CBS) ,1994 Performance in Nicosia, Cyprus.
LTV Lumier, 1994 Live Concert in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Cypriot Radio, 1994 Live Performance, Nicosia, Cyprus.
La Radio de la Suisse Romande, 1995 Live Performance, Geneva
Switzerland.
New Music Commissioned and/or Premiered:
Mike Mower, (England) CONCERTO FOR ALTO SAX AND BAND, (consortium),
2005.
Steve Makela, (USA) SEWER RAT for alto saxophone and computer, 2004.
Liviu Marinescu, (Bulgaria/USA) BACH VARIATIONS for alto saxophone and
tape, 2002.
Michael Colgrass, (USA) CONCERTO FOR ALTO SAXOPHONE AND BAND,
(consortium), 2001.
David Maslanka, (USA) MOUNTAIN ROADS for saxophone quartet. 1997
Kirk O'Riordan CONCERTO FOR ALTO SAXOPHONE AND ORCHESTRA, 1998.
Dan Bredon, SONATA FOR ALTO SAXOPHONE AND PIANO, 1998.
John Harbison, SONATA FOR ALTO SAXOPHONE AND PIANO, 1995. (consortium)
Larry Bell (USA) MAHLER IN BLUE LIGHT for Alto Saxophone, Cello and
Piano, 1996. (consortium)
Michael Kamuf I'LL TELL YOU WHAT for jazz ensebmle, 1997.
Chris Theofandids, NETHERLAND for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, 1994.
(consortium)
Giorgio Babbini (Italy), VARIANTI 95 for Saxophone Quartet, 1995.
Phanos Dymiotis (Greece), BALLAD for Saxophone Quartet, 1995.
Kirk ORiordan, SCENES FROM MACBETH for Saxophone
Quartet, 1994.
Etienne Rolin (France), SAX-OVER-SEAS, for Saxophone Quartet, 1993.
Greg Wilder, POISON SUMAC for Saxophone Quartet, 1993.
Rachel Manly, FOUR SAXOPHONES, for Saxophone Quartet, 1995.
Rachel Kampf, SCENES ON GENESIS for Saxophone Quartet, 1995.
Edward Wallace, A VIEW OF EDO, for Saxophone Quartet, 1993.
Jennifer Furr, INSOMNIA for Saxophone Quartet, 1995.