Michael Ethier finished first in the 2019 John Philip Sousa Foundation National Young Artists Solo Competition when he was a senior in high school, earning him a spring recognition ceremony and a chance to perform a solo. Little did he know how tested he would be, or how sweet the reward.
 
When COVID-19 shut down the world in early 2020, Ethier waited as his senior year passed and he graduated from North Smithfield High School in Rhode Island. Fall arrived, and he began his bachelor’s degree study in saxophone performance at the MSU College of Music with Professor Joe Lulloff. Another year passed, and he embarked on his sophomore year. Still, throughout, Ethier never lost faith, believing he would be recognized someday for his achievement two years before. 

Then, in late fall 2021, Ethier received an invitation from the Sousa Foundation. They had arranged for him to play his concerto with the U.S. Army Field Band at the Midwest Clinic—the world’s largest instrumental education conference, held annually each December in Chicago. This type of invitation was not typical for a young performer and would be an honor beyond his expectations.

“I was pretty shook when they mentioned it to me,” said Ethier. “It was just an incredible opportunity.”

Although he had been working on different saxophone repertoire since becoming a collegiate musician, Ethier said it was fun to revisit the piece he had performed as a high schooler. 

“It’s so powerful and brass heavy,” said Ethier of the third movement of Ingolf Dahl’s Concerto for Saxophone and Wind Orchestra. “I really like that kind of sound. It’s not delicate, I’ll say that. It’s unlike any saxophone concerto I’ve ever played.”

Ethier traveled to Chicago and took the stage in mid-December 2021. It had been nearly three years since he had performed for a live audience, as well as the first time he had ever performed with a large ensemble. 

“Luckily, the Foundation invited me to Fort Meade, Maryland, just after Thanksgiving to rehearse with the U.S. Army Field Band,” he said. “Because of that, I felt very ready and confident when the day of the performance came. I was so thankful to everyone for setting things up.”

Ethier said the experience at the Midwest Conference was made even more special since his mom, dad and brother were in the audience. Several faculty from the MSU College of Music who worked with Ethier also attended, including Director of Bands Kevin Sedatole, Assistant Director of Bands David Thornton, and Lulloff, his saxophone professor.

Lulloff first met Ethier in 2018 at the Brevard Music Center Summer Festival, and he invited Ethier to visit and apply to MSU. He remarked that Ethier is a model student, and his dedication and drive inspires his colleagues in the Saxophone Studio.

“For him to win this competition, and to perform as a featured soloist in such a prestigious event with the Army Field Band as a college student is a rare honor,” Lulloff said. “He was polished and professional, and brought an effortlessness of music-making to the Dahl concerto. He was in total control of his performance—a very natural soloist.

After the conference, Ethier, a recipient of the College of Music National Leadership Council Endowed Scholarship, finished up fall semester and is continuing his studies under Lulloff’s mentorship in the Saxophone Studio. He’s also fine-tuning his abilities and preparing for more competitions as a member of PULSE—an undergraduate saxophone quartet and chamber ensemble.

“Playing with PULSE has been one of the biggest enhancers of my musical abilities,” said Ethier. “I hadn’t had much exposure to chamber music before coming to MSU, and you really begin to understand the importance of putting the ensemble first and putting yourself aside. I simply can’t express how much I love MSU and all the experiences I’ve had here.”