Welcome
15th World Saxophone Congress 2009
The World Saxophone Congress is a festival gathering approximately 1,000 saxophonists and other musicians from all over the world. Established in year 1969, the World Saxophone Congress met once every three years since the London Congress of 1976, except a few occasions at year 1992 and 1997. The Congress presents an opportunity to meet saxophonists from many countries, to attend clinics and lecturers, and to listen to various concerts and performances of saxophone soloists, chamber ensembles, big bands and symphony orchestras that run simultaneously throughout the day in different venues of the congress centre.
The Congress is also convened with the purpose of presenting the advancements of music production and distribution as well as innovations in instrument-making and equipment.
The 15th World Saxophone Congress will be hosted by the College of Music, Mahidol University in Bangkok. As the world’s largest gathering of professional, amateur and student saxophonists, WSCXV will feature a full schedule of concerts and presentations, and will included many displays of instruments and accessories by manufacturers and retailers from many countries.
Mahidol University is one of Thailand’s outstanding educational institutions, having a total enrollment in excess of 25,000 students. The College of Music is the first music conservatory in Thailand offering various degree programs, including Pre-College, Undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral programs in many areas of music. For more information about College of Music please click here
Welcome to Bangkok
Bangkok is one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities and has attractions to stimulate the tastes of even the most sophisticated travelers. Created as the Thai capital in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, Bangkok is a national treasure and is Thailand's spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic center. To the Thais, Bangkok is known as Krung Thep, City of Angels
, a magical place that captivates the imagination.
Joyfully exuberant, Bangkok embraces modern development and presents an initial picture of imposing office towers, world-class hotels, and glittering shopping plazas packed with treasures of the East such as silks and gemstones. Thailand's restaurants are acclaimed for their succulent spicy recipes; however, every other national cuisine is readily available.
Amidst today's hectic world Bangkok manages to preserve its cultural heritage to an amazing degree. In the rich splendor of the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Temple of the Dawn and other historic shrines, one sees images of medieval Oriental wonder, the very essence of Eastern fairytales.
The influence of the past, not limited to major monuments, continues to color daily life. Files of monks in saffron-colored robes making their early morning alms round present a scene essentially unaltered by the passing of time. Today's backdrop of high-rise buildings only adds wonder to this and other enduring sights from which the city continues to draw definition.
The people are fun-loving and easy-going, and it is from them that the city of Bangkok derives its unique identity. They possess a rare tolerance, which imbues the city with a sense of freedom and security. The city may appear hectic at times, yet the essential feeling one derives is Bangkok’s good-natured acceptance of life. Thailand's City of Angels
is a magical place where possibilities are limited only by one's imagination.
Introduction
The year 2009 marks the fortieth anniversary of the first World Saxophone Congress, held in Chicago. Originally conceived by Paul Brodie and quickly joined by Eugene Rousseau, six goals were established to help elevate the status of the saxophone. The goals included the commission and performance of new repertoire, the presentation of recital programs and clinics, and the establishment of methods of communication among saxophonists.
The past fourteen Congresses have succeeded in fostering the creation of hundreds of new compositions for the saxophone in a wide range of genres. Each Congress has offered outstanding performances and invaluable clinics and master classes by the leading figures of our instrument. The very fact that you are reading this article is proof that the last goal - to improve communication – is being met.
The Congress has expanded from a one-day gathering in 1969 to become the present five-day event. That first Congress attracted 500 persons to hear seven performances and a single clinic; the most recent Congress drew more than 700 participants from 37 countries to hear more than 200 performances and 16 clinics, lectures, and master classes. There can be little doubt that the past forty years have seen a tremendous growth in the enthusiasm for our instrument as evidenced by the many gifted younger performers to be heard at the Congresses.
Perhaps the most important aspect of these gatherings is the spirit of camaraderie present at each Congress. The performances have often been brilliant and the music remarkable but for many an equally important aspect of these meetings is the opportunity to meet with old friends and to make new ones. The willingness of colleagues to discuss their experiences and share their insights has made each Congress extraordinary.
Congresses have been held in the United States, Canada, France, England, Germany, Japan, Italy, Spain, and Slovenia; World Saxophone Congress XV will take us for the first time to Southeast Asia, to the “Land of Smiles” known as Thailand. Few of us are familiar with Thailand’s musical landscape or how the saxophone is generally perceived there. Those who were part of the recent Congress in Minnesota received our introduction to Thai saxophone performance and those who attended the last Congress were deeply impressed by the commitment of the Thai representatives to offer a memorable WSC XV. There can be no doubt that our hosts will make available the facilities and the organization necessary for outstanding musical performances. Those of us who journey to Bangkok will provide an atmosphere of warm collegiality and together we will create yet another unforgettable World Saxophone Congress.(text contributed by Thomas Liley, the author of A Brief History of the World Saxophone Congress 1969-2000)