May 02, 2009
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A quartet of student saxophonists from The Florida State University College of Music has won the grand prize at the 2009 Coleman International Chamber Ensemble Competition. The annual contest is one of the world´s most rigorous and respected for ensembles of young, non-professional performers from the nation´s top music schools.</p>
<p>Collectively known as the Mana Quartet, the four FSU students who comprise the graduate ensemble earned the competition´s distinguished Alice Coleman Prize. Mana is the first saxophone quartet ever to win the top award in the 63-year history of the celebrated contest, held this year on April 25 in Pasadena at its home institution, the California Institute of Technology.</p>
<p>FSU College of Music Dean Don Gibson calls the Coleman Competition grand prize a “world-class accomplishment, equal to the best accolade Florida State students have achieved.”</p>
<p>Patrick Meighan, professor of saxophone at Florida State, coaches the Mana Quartet.</p>
<p>“Although the FSU saxophone program has a history of national prizewinners, the Mana Quartet´s achievement is unprecedented,” Meighan said. “Considering our competition from such world-renowned programs as The Eastman School of Music and The Cleveland Institute of Music, our grand prize is even more remarkable.”</p>
<p>The groundbreaking saxophonists of the Mana Quartet are:</p>
<p>Michael Hernandez of Phoenix, Ariz. A third-year doctoral student in performance, Hernandez has been part of the quartet for three years and plays the soprano saxophone. He received his master´s degree in music performance at Syracuse University.</p>
<p>Josh Meyers, also of Phoenix, who plays the tenor saxophone and has been a member of Mana for five years. He will graduate May 2 with a master´s in saxophone performance. Meyers earned his bachelor´s in music performance at Northern Arizona University.
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Dannel Espinoza, of Miami, Fla**., who graduates May 2 from FSU with a master´s in saxophone performance. A baritone saxophone player, Espinoza has spent five years with Mana. He received his bachelor´s in music performance from Northern Arizona University.
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Michael Mortarotti, of Berkeley, Calif.**, who plays the alto saxophone. He´ll graduate May 2 from FSU with a master´s in saxophone performance. He earned his bachelor´s in music performance at Northern Arizona University. Mortarotti has been with Mana for five years.</p>
<p>“It was a privilege to coach such talented, dedicated and down-to-earth young men in an ensemble that prides artistry over virtuosity,” Meighan said. “This group knew what they wanted to say in their competition pieces. They have become extremely adept at figuring out the meaning of the notes they play and relaying that meaning convincingly to audiences.”