The Athenian Saxophone Quartet has maintained a busy schedule of performances since its inception in Athens, Ohio in 1997, including performances at Ohio University, the 1998 national conference of the North American Saxophone Alliance in Chicago, Ohio University's 1998 Women in Music Conference, a clinic at the 1999 Ohio Music Educators Association convention, the 2001 NASA Region V conference in Dayton Ohio, and Denison University. The Athenian Saxophone Quartet performs new works, in addition to transcriptions and works standard to the saxophone quartet repertoire.
Matthew James is Associate Professor of Music at Ohio University, where he teaches jazz ensembles, jazz theory, jazz arranging, saxophone ensembles, applied saxophone, saxophone pedagogy/repertoire and saxophone methods. He holds degrees in music from Northern Illinois University and the University of North Texas, where he was a teaching fellow. He was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Toledo prior to joining the O.U. faculty. James spent 1-1/2 years as lead alto saxophonist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, touring, recording and performing on radio and television. In the summer of 1998 he spent two months touring as lead alto saxophonist with the Phil Collins Big Band. He has performed as a freelance musician in the Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Toledo and Columbus metropolitan areas.
Shannon Williams received a Masters in Saxophone Performance and a Masters in Music Education from Bowling Green State University, where she studied saxophone with Dr. John Sampen. In 1994 she received her Bachelors in Music Performance from Wichita State University, where she studied with Ms. Jean Lansing. An active performer, Williams was the recipient of the 1993 Instrumentalist Award at the NAFTZGER Young Artist competition, an instrumental finalist in the 1995 Kingsville Young Artist competition, and a finalist in the Jefferson Symphony Young Artist Competition in 1993 and 1995. She has performed as a soloist at regional and national conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance. Presently Shannon teaches K-6 music for Athens City Schools.
Allyn Reilly is Professor of Music Theory and currently the Chair of Music Theory at Ohio University. He received his Ph.D. in Music Theory from Northwestern University where he also studied saxophone with Frederick Hemke. His performance credits include recitals and clinics throughout Ohio, as well as chamber music and orchestral performances with the Chicago Saxophone Quartet, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Lyric Opera Orchestra. In the summer of 1988 he presented saxophone recitals in Kawasaki and Kasugai, Japan.
Greg Sigman earned the Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Ohio University in 1992 and completed the Master of Music in saxophone performance in 1995. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society and currently serves as senior library associate for the Ohio University Music/DanceLibrary as well as saxophone instructor for the Athens Community Music School.
For Bookings or Further Information, Please Contact:
Matthew James or Allyn Reilly
School of Music
Ohio University
440 Music Building
Athens, Ohio 45701-2979
(740)593-4244