Frostburg State University Student Gwendolyn Fazenbaker to Present Senior Saxophone Recital “Pursuing the Music”
Oct 19, 2026 10:00 AM
The Frostburg State University Department of Music, Theatre and Dance will present the senior recital of saxophonist Gwendolyn Fazenbaker, “Pursuing the Music,” on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. The recital is free and open to the public. A livestream will also be available at www.frostburg.edu/concerts.
Fazenbaker, a student of Dr. Brent Weber, is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Industry at FSU and is expected to graduate in May 2027. A 2023 graduate of Mountain Ridge High School, she has distinguished herself academically through numerous scholarships and honors, including the Dean’s List, Purpose Scholarship, Frostburg Grant, McGowan-Davisson Scholarship, Allegany County Opportunity Scholarship, Henry A. Smith, Jr. Music Management Scholarship, Margaret Ager Smith Scholarship, Robert Pusey Memorial Scholarship and the Marguerite Witwer Richards Endowed Scholarship.
Following graduation, Fazenbaker hopes to pursue a career in the recording industry, with plans to work in a recording studio in the Pittsburgh area.
The recital program highlights the expressive versatility of the saxophone through a collection of works spanning classical masterworks, contemporary compositions, chamber music, and tango-inspired rhythms. Accompanied by pianist Dr. Joseph Yungen, Fazenbaker will perform “Le Cygne” (The Swan) from "The Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saëns, one of the composer’s most beloved and lyrical melodies, celebrated for its graceful, flowing lines and serene beauty. She will also perform "Light of Sothis" by Amy Quate, a contemporary work inspired by the brilliant star Sirius, often referred to in ancient Egypt as Sothis, creating a vibrant and atmospheric musical landscape.
Also on the program is "Le Départ du Roi" by Anne-Marie Mimet, an energetic and colorful work that evokes the grandeur and pageantry of a royal departure, and Sicilienne by Jean Absil, a charming piece featuring the gentle lilting rhythms and expressive character associated with the traditional Siciliana dance form.
Featured guest artist Janet Jones, harp, will join Fazenbaker for Andy Scott’s "Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Harp." This engaging and innovative work blends the warm sonorities of the saxophone with the shimmering textures of the harp, creating a unique dialogue between the two instruments while drawing on elements of jazz, folk, and contemporary classical styles.
The program concludes with Karen Street’s "Tango for Saxophone Quintet," a lively and spirited composition that captures the passion, dance rhythms, and driving energy of the Argentine tango. Joining Fazenbaker for this performance will be Heather Williams, alto saxophone; Christopher Wroten, tenor saxophone; Maxwell Partlow, tenor saxophone; and Dr. Brent Weber, baritone saxophone.
For more information about concerts and events presented by the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, visit www.frostburg.edu/concerts.