Although a mere “adolescent” in the world of classical instruments, the 175-year-old-saxophone is maturing within a musical format that dates to the 1700s.

Saxophones have gained stature as a chamber ensemble instrument, shattering their stereotypic image as an instrument reserved for jazz and marching bands.

“Saxophone quartets are becoming more visible and are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with string and woodwind quartets,” said Joe Lulloff, professor of saxophone at the MSU College of Music. “They’re influential. Their repertoire is expanding, and they’re breaking barriers. It’s very exciting to see their growth, evolution, and contributions to this beautiful form of music.”

The Group 2 saxophone quartet exemplifies the depth of differently pitched saxophones making music in a small group. Comprised of students and recent alumni from Lulloff’s saxophone studio, the quartet is uniquely poised to explore new and contemporary music as well as the classical genre. Group members have transcribed works written for strings or piano, and interpreted pieces that range from marches to pop songs. They’ve also commissioned composers to highlight the stylistic mix of soprano, alto, tenor and baritone sax.

“A lot of their audiences never realized that a saxophone quartet could sound so interesting,” said Lulloff. “They’re incredibly entrepreneurial, and have performed concerts and initiated community-outreach activities throughout the Lansing community as well as the state of Michigan.”

Recently, Group 2 showcased their eclectic repertoire at the 48th annual Fischoff Competition, considered the grand-daddy of collegiate chamber music competitions. The four members overcame the hardships of a pandemic-fraught year to make it to the quarter-finals in mid-May. Members Adam Epler, Evan Harris, Tyler Young, and Eric Zheng competed virtually through recordings and streamed performances, representing hours of practice, rehearsals, and commitment to learning production skills previously outside their wheelhouse.

“Ultimately, all of us have learned more about making music,” said Tyler Young, a doctoral student in saxophone performance at MSU. “We’ve become arrangers, videographers, and sound technicians. We’ve listened to and shared with other chamber groups on campus. Everything we’ve done has deepened our friendships because we’ve experienced so much.”

Innovative immersion

Group 2 member Eric Zheng said Fischoff was the perfect end cap to his master’s program in saxophone performance, which he completed in spring 2021. The alumnus said his immersion in Lulloff’s studio shaped his artistry through the continual exposure to other chamber groups—both saxophone and other combinations of classical instruments.

A key experience, Zheng said, was the opportunity to compete and garner first prize in the College’s Wagner Chamber Music Showcase—a brand-new annual competition for MSU chamber groups named in recognition of College of Music donor Barbara Wagner. The two-day experience in early 2021 reinforced his appreciation of chamber music, and introduced him to innovative combinations of strings, woodwinds, piano, and vocals in trios and quartets. 

“Seeing other instrumental groups has been extremely inspiring and has influenced our sound in Group 2,” Zheng said. “Plus, all the saxophone groups here at MSU are phenomenal and work to push each other forward.”

Yvonne Lam coordinates the College’s Chamber Music Program. She said Zheng’s comments reflect the type of cross-pollination the program hopes to inspire among students across instrumental studios. Lam joined the MSU faculty as assistant professor of violin and viola in 2019 and draws on her rich performance and entrepreneurial experience, including eight years as co-artistic director and violinist/violist of Eighth Blackbird, a groundbreaking, Grammy Award-winning chamber ensemble.

“There is a lot of freedom and creativity in choosing repertoire and forming chamber groups,” said Lam. “Students who play instruments with more limited traditional repertoire can transcribe and arrange works for newer instruments like the saxophone or for unconventional instrumentations.”

Lam commented that the audience for chamber music is particularly enthusiastic given its intimate scale. Repertoire is expansive and diverse, with mixed ensembles and saxophone groups on the rise.

“Composers are excited to write for new ensembles,” she said. “The possibilities are endless. My goal is to build a comprehensive and collaborative program at MSU where all instrument areas can be inspired by each other and celebrate their collective accomplishments together.”

Group 2 member Evan Harris agreed that the supportive nature of the College itself promotes collaboration across the various studios. And although the pandemic placed constraints on live performance, the ability to record, stream, and share virtually helped fuel innovative thinking and build new skills.

“I have always been passionate about chamber music, so being able to listen to other groups is inspirational,” Harris said. “Playing with Group 2 has simply been a joy. Especially with the pandemic, I’ve had an opportunity to continue to make music with other terrific musicians, and to push myself to become a better musician.”

Group 2 was recently invited to perform a recital at the prestigious Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music Conference in Chicago in December 2021. For more information on activities or upcoming events for the Group 2 Saxophone Quartet, visit group2quartet.com.