Dowagiac’s own Phillip Barham, Tennessee Tech University professor of saxophone and former Southwestern Michigan College saxophone instructor, will instruct a clinic at 4 p.m. Friday, in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building.
“Barham is possibly the best studio professor I have ever witnessed,” said SMC Director of Bands Dr. Jonathan Korzun. “He is equally comfortable working with the novice student through the most advanced college/professional player. He is truly one of the best saxophonists in the U.S. if not the world.”
Korzun said while Barham is a professor of saxophone and an excellent clarinet instructor, “All musicians would benefit from attending this clinic. Saxophonists and clarinetists, feel free to bring your instrument with you.”
There is no fee for attending.
On Saturday at 8 p.m., Barham performs as guest soloist with Korzun’s SMC Brass Band and Andrews University Wind Symphony at the Howard Performing Arts Center on the Andrews University campus in Berrien Springs.
The first half of the concert features the SMC Brass Band performing “Fanfare from La Peri” by Dukas; “Holyrood” by Alford; “In Perfect Peace” by Downie; “Ride” by Hazo; “Zorba’s Dance” from Zorba the Greek by Theodorakis; and Mozart’s “Queen of the Night Aria” featuring Barham.
During their half of the concert, Andrews University Wind Symphony, directed by Alan Mitchell, performs “Old Wine in New Bottles” by Jacob; “Tintin: Prisoners of the Sun” by Brousse; “Deux Mouvements” by Waignen, featuring Barham; “Shadow Waltzes” by Balmages; and “Urban Flight” by Morales.
General admission costs $6. Students and senior admission is $4. Children under 12 are free. Call the box office at (269) 471-3560 for tickets.
Barham’s career has literally taken him around the globe.
He debuted in London in 1990 during his first European tour that also took him to Oslo, Norway, and Geneva, Switzerland.
The New York Times marveled at his “ability to swing at a dancing rhythm or to blister through a swift rippling melody” after Barham’s 1987 New York debut at Carnegie Recital Hall.
Barham, who debuted in Tokyo in 1993, played the 1998 Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival.
The 1976 Union High School graduate received his bachelor’s degree in woodwinds in 1982 from the University of North Texas and his master’s degree in music in wind instruments/saxophone in 1983 from the University of Michigan.
A former saxophone instructor at California State University in Northridge, Barham has been the saxophone instructor for Western Michigan University’s Summer Seminar and appears regularly with the Southwest Michigan Symphony, the South Bend Symphony and the Kalamazoo Symphony.
In 1989, he was named among the “Outstanding Young Men of America.”
Korzun founded the SMC Brass Band in 1992. It is composed of area band directors, community members and SMC students. It is a British-style ensemble modeled after brass bands popular throughout Europe.
The SMC Brass Band gives regular performances at the college and throughout southwest Michigan, including annual June concerts at Beckwith Park in Dowagiac, Ely Park in Hartford and the Niles Riverfront Amphitheater, as well as its annual holiday concert at Stevensville United Methodist Church.
Southwestern Michigan College is a public, residential and commuter, community college, founded in 1964. The college averages in the top 10 percent nationally for student academic success based upon the National Community College Benchmark Project. Southwestern Michigan College strives to be the college of first choice, to provide the programs and services to meet the needs of students, and to serve our community. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.