Each year, the Albion High School Alumni Foundation presents the Eastman at Albion Courthouse Square concert series. This effort is a partnership with the Eastman Community Music School and is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts in our community by offering a series of professional music concerts. The concerts utilize historic down town Albion churches, such as the Albion First Presbyterian Church and the Holy Family Parish/St, Joseph’s Church, as venues for their performances to further promote the cultural heritage of our community. Click here to visit the Eastman at Albion Courthouse Square web site for more information about this amazing initiative.
On Sunday, April 6, 2014, the concert series presented Sax Appeal at the beautiful Albion First Presbyterian Church. The concert featured world-class performers Susan Fancher (saxophonist), Chien-Kwan Lin (saxophonist), and Pi-Lin Ni (pianist). All three have impressive portfolios listing performances at many of the world’s most prestigious musical venues, advanced degrees, and exciting professional careers. Their performances were inspiring and engaging – steeped in culture and artistry. Albion is truly blessed to have access to professional performers of this caliber in our small village.
But, it is with great pride that we mention international saxophonist, Susan Fancher, is also an Albion native and graduate of Albion High School – Class of 1982. The AHS alum has been extremely successful in her education and career. She holds a doctorate degree in music, has recorded over twenty CDs, is a regularly featured columnist for the Saxophone Journal, and is currently on the faculty at Duke University. And, as if performing world-wide both as a soloist and as a member of various chamber music ensembles and her teaching career don’t keep her busy enough, she has taken time out of her schedule to come home to Albion for this performance and has arranged to meet with the saxophonists at Albion High School to provide a masters level saxophone lesson for them. She has given Albion, her friends, and her family a lot to be proud of.
To read more about Susan Fancher and listen to her music via sound/video clips, click here.
Also performing at the concert was the select Albion High School Saxophone Ensemble under the direction of AHS junior Charlyne Olick. The ensemble includes Charlyne Olick, Sarah Graham, Matthew Flanagan, and Emilie Barleben on Alto Sax, Steven Stauss and Laura Flanagan on Tenor Sax, and Nicholas Ettinger on Baritone Sax. The high school group performed two compositions and were joined by Ms. Fancher and Mr. Lin for their second piece. The students held their own with the pros very nicely – they gave an impressive performance – we are very proud of them!
It was an incredible concert and a thoroughly enjoyable musical afternoon. All proceeds benefit the Albion High School Alumni Foundation Scholarship Funds.
Some photos from the concert:
Charlie Nesbitt, member of the Foundation Board and Concert Series Organizational Committee
Susan Fancher (l) and Chien-Kwan Lin (r) – both playing soprano saxophones
Albion High School Saxophone Ensemble
Ms. Fancher and Mr. Lin join the HS ensemble
Albion native, Susan Fancher performing a solo on the alto saxophone
Ms. Fancher on the soprano sax and Mr. Lin on the alto sax
Pi-Lin Ni providing piano accompaniment
Encore – performing a rag time tune on two alto saxophones
Posted by Kim Wright Pritt
Photos courtesy of Kim Wright Pritt
