James Romain, associate professor of saxophone at Drake University, will present a faculty recital at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held on the Jordan Stage of Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 2507 University Ave.
Romain, who also serves as assistant director of jazz studies, will perform:
* “Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano,” written by William Albright
* “Glint for Alto Saxophone and Clarinet,” written by Roshanne Etezady
* “Penelope’s Song,” written by Judith Shatin
* “We Speak Etruscan,” written by Lee Hyla
Throughout the concert, Romain will be accompanied by fellow Drake faculty members Nicholas Roth, associate professor of piano, and clarinetist Clarence Padilla, chair of the music department and professor of music. Romain will also be joined by bass clarinetist Kariann Voigts, professor of music at Simpson College.
Romain, who joined Drake’s faculty in 2003, has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Wyoming Symphony, the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. He is lead alto saxophonist for the Des Moines Big Band and baritone saxophonist with the Oasis Saxophone Quartet.
In 2009, he premiered Eric McIntyre’s “Secondary Impressions for Baritone Saxophone and Piano,” at the 15th World Saxophone Congress, held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Romain was the first saxophonist to be awarded the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Texas.