Donald Sinta
Encyclopedia
Donald Sinta is an American
classical saxophonist
, educator, and administrator.
In 1969 he was the first elected chair of the World Saxophone Congress
.
at the University of Michigan
in Ann Arbor
, Michigan
.
He previously served on the music faculties of the Hartt School of Music
and Ithaca College
.
Sinta is the emeritus director of the Michigan Youth Ensembles Program, the Michigan All-State program at Interlochen Arts Camp and director of the MPulse Ann Arbor saxophone institute.
, as well as other ensembles.
School of Music. He attended high school at the prestigious Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan, where his band director was legendary band conductor Harry Begian
. Sinta received his bachelor's degree from Wayne State University
, and, in 1962, he earned a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance from the University of Michigan
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
classical saxophonist
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, educator, and administrator.
In 1969 he was the first elected chair of the World Saxophone Congress
World Saxophone Congress
The World Saxophone Congress is a festival gathering approximately 1000 saxophonists and other musicians from all over the world. It is currently held every three years at a different congress centre in a different country and focuses primarily on the performance of classical saxophone music.The...
.
Teaching career
He serves as Earl V. Moore Professor of SaxophoneSaxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
.
He previously served on the music faculties of the Hartt School of Music
Hartt School
The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford located in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre...
and Ithaca College
Ithaca College
Ithaca College is a private college located on the South Hill of Ithaca, New York. The school was founded by William Egbert in 1892 as a conservatory of music. The college has a strong liberal arts core, but also offers several pre-professional programs and some graduate programs. The college is...
.
Sinta is the emeritus director of the Michigan Youth Ensembles Program, the Michigan All-State program at Interlochen Arts Camp and director of the MPulse Ann Arbor saxophone institute.
Students
Sinta has taught hundreds of college aged saxophonists, many of whom have gone on to teach at well regarded universities. He has thereby had an unusually large influence on the style and direction of classical saxophone in America. His students include:- Phillip BarhamPhillip BarhamPhillip Wayne Barham is a classical and jazz saxophonist and professor of saxophone at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee.-Biography:Barham was born in Dowagiac, Michigan...
, Professor of Saxophone, Tennessee Technological UniversityTennessee Technological UniversityTennessee Technological University, popularly known as Tennessee Tech, is an accredited public university located in Cookeville, Tennessee, US, a city approximately seventy miles east of Nashville. It was formerly known as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute , and before that as Dixie College, the... - Tom Bergeron, Professor of Music, Western Oregon UniversityWestern Oregon UniversityWestern Oregon University is a public liberal arts college located in Monmouth, Oregon, United States. It was originally established in 1856 by Oregon pioneers as Monmouth University. Subsequent names include Oregon Normal School, Oregon College of Education, and Western Oregon State College...
- Christopher Blossom, Saxophonist with the United States Army Field Band
- Jacob Chmara, Saxophonist with the "President's Own" United States Marine Band
- Christopher Creviston, Free-lance saxophonist, New York City; Professor of Saxophone, Crane School of MusicCrane School of MusicThe Crane School of Music is located in Potsdam, New York, and is one of three schools which make up the State University of New York at Potsdam....
, State University of New York, Potsdam, Capitol Quartet - Andrew Dahlke, Professor of Saxophone, University of Northern ColoradoUniversity of Northern Colorado-Organization:The University of Northern Colorado offers 100 undergraduate programs and more than 100 graduate programs. The university has a satellite campus in Denver, Colorado...
, Capitol Quartet - Scott EricksonScott EricksonScott Gavin Erickson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-Career:Erickson was born in Long Beach, California, and began his professional career, after being drafted by the NY Mets in 1986, Houston Astros in 1987, and Toronto Blue Jays in 1988, in when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins...
, Professor of Saxophone, Oboe and Bassoon, Murray State University - James Forger, Professor of Saxophone at Michigan State University, Dean of the School of Music at Michigan State University
- Daniel Goff, Saxophonist with the United States Army Field Band
- David Henderson, saxophone faculty, Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, University of the Pacific, Saxophonist with San Francisco SymphonySan Francisco SymphonyThe San Francisco Symphony is an orchestra based in San Francisco, California. Since 1980, the orchestra has performed at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus are part of the organization...
. Tenor Saxophone with the Premiere Saxophone Quartet - Brian Horner, Professor of Saxophone, Austin Peay State UniversityAustin Peay State UniversityAustin Peay State University is a four-year public university located in Clarksville, Tennessee, and operated by the Tennessee Board of Regents. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools .-History:...
- Laura Hunter, Former concert saxophonist, environmental lawyer
- Lynn KlockLynn KlockLynn Klock is an American classical saxophonist and educator. He is also the bass clarinetist in the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Springfield, Massachusetts.- Teaching career :...
, Professor of Saxophone, University of Massachusetts, Amherst - Carrie Koffman, Professor of Saxophone, The Hartt School of Music
- Clifford LeamanClifford LeamanClifford Leaman is an American classical saxophonist and is the Professor of Saxophone at the University of South Carolina.In January 2008, Dr. Leaman performed upon invitation at the 31st International Saxophone Symposium with the United States Navy Band. Dr...
, Professor of Saxophone, University of South CarolinaUniversity of South CarolinaThe University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, member of the Ambassador Duo - Don Lefevre, Professor of Saxophone; Director of Bands; Performing artist, West Texas A&M UniversityWest Texas A&M UniversityWest Texas A&M University , part of the Texas A&M University System, is a public university located in Canyon, Texas, a small city south of Amarillo. West Texas A&M opened on September 20, 1910...
- Matthew Levy, composer, tenor saxophone chair of the PRISM Saxophone Quartet
- Gary Louie, Professor of Saxophone, Peabody Conservatory of Music
- Douglas Masek, Professor of Saxophone, University of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, Los AngelesThe University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
(UCLA Info Page) - Steven Mauk, Professor of Saxophone, Ithaca CollegeIthaca CollegeIthaca College is a private college located on the South Hill of Ithaca, New York. The school was founded by William Egbert in 1892 as a conservatory of music. The college has a strong liberal arts core, but also offers several pre-professional programs and some graduate programs. The college is...
- Kenny Millions, world renowned jazz musician and composer
- Timothy McAllister, Professor of Saxophone, Herberger Institute School of Music, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, soprano saxophone chair of the PRISM Saxophone Quartet
- Jason McFeaters, Saxophone Instructor, Levine School of MusicLevine School of MusicThe Levine School of Music is a non-profit community music center serving the Greater Washington DC metropolitan area. Levine currently operates four campuses, in Northwest DC, Southwest DC, Strathmore MD, and Arlington VA...
- Adam Pendleton, Performance Faculty, Georgia State University School of Music
- Patrick Posey, Director of Orchestral Activities and Planning, The Juilliard School, freelance saxophonist in New York City
- Tim Ries, Saxophonist with the Rolling Stones
- Allen Rippe, Associate Professor of Saxophone, The University of Memphis
- Erik Rönmark, Personal Homepage
- Brian Sacawa, Saxophonist with the United States Army Field Band
- John SampenJohn SampenJohn Sampen is an American classical saxophonist.Sampen's degrees are from Northwestern University . His teachers included Frederick Hemke, Larry Teal, and Donald Sinta. He has served as professor of saxophone at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio since 1977...
, Professor of Saxophone, Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green State UniversityBowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State... - Zachary Shemon, current alto saxophone chair of the PRISM Saxophone Quartet
- Jason Smigell, Director of Bands, Howell, MI
- Pathorn Srikaranonda, Professor of Saxophone, Kasetsart UniversityKasetsart UniversityKasetsart University is a public university in Thailand and a top-ranked Public University in Thailand. It is ranked No.401-500 in the world by QS. It was also the first agricultural university and the third oldest university in Thailand...
, Thailand and member of Au Sau Ensemble of King of Thailand - David Stambler, Professor of Saxophone, Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityThe Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
, Capitol Quartet - Kevin J. Stewart, San Francisco Saxophone Quartet
- Rik Pfenninger, Professor of Saxophone, Director of Jazz Studies/Music Technology http://www.rikpmusic.com Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth State UniversityPlymouth State University, formerly Plymouth State College, is a regional comprehensive university located in Plymouth, New Hampshire and part of the University System of New Hampshire....
- Kelland Thomas, Professor of Music, University of ArizonaUniversity of ArizonaThe University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
- John Vana, Professor of Saxophone, Western Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois University is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. Like many similar institutions of the time, Western Illinois State Normal School focused on teacher training for its relatively small body of students. As the normal school grew, it became...
- Michael Whitcombe, former alto saxophone chair and founding member of PRISM Saxophone Quartet
- Thomas WisniewskiThomas WisniewskiTom Wisniewski is the guitarist and backup vocalist for the band MxPx. Originally a drummer, Tom replaced Andy Husted as MxPx's guitarist in 1994. In 2002, Tom married Kelly Wisniewski, a hairstylist from Florida...
, freelance saxophonist, Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country... - Jay BerckleyJay BerckleyJay Berckley represents the new generation of 21st century musicians. His music encompasses the influences of contemporary and traditional saxophone literature, hip-hop, jazz, electronic, funk, digitized, and experimental music....
, Recording Artist, Educator, and Label Executive, http://www.jbelectrified.com, http://www.horacemann.org - Jonathan Yanik, Saxophonist with the United States Navy BandUnited States Navy BandThe United States Navy Band, based at the historic Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., has served the nation as the official musical organization of the United States Navy since 1925...
- Todd Rewoldt, Professor of Saxophone, San Diego State UniversitySan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
- Robert YoungRobert YoungRobert, Rob or Bob Young may refer to:In sports:* Robert Young , American track athlete* Robert Young , British cyclist* Robert Young , American football player...
, Professor of Saxophone, Wichita State UniversityWichita State UniversityWichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
Performing career
Donald Sinta specializes in contemporary music for the saxophone. He has gained prominence as an interpreter of modern music, is known for his technical abilities as well as his musical interpretation, and is highly regarded for his incorporation of the orchestral string tradition into the language of modern concert saxophone. He has also performed with many major orchestras, including the Detroit Symphony OrchestraDetroit Symphony Orchestra
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Detroit, Michigan. Its main performance center is Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood...
, as well as other ensembles.
Premieres of new works
Sinta has premiered new works by more than 40 American composers, including:- "Canto IV" by Samuel AdlerSamuel Adler (composer)Samuel Hans Adler is an American composer and conductor.-Biography:Adler was born to a Jewish family in Mannheim, Germany, the son of Hugo Chaim Adler, a cantor and composer, and Selma Adler. The family fled to the United States in 1939, where Hugo became the cantor of Temple Emanuel in...
- "Doo-Dah (Trio for Alto Saxophones" by William AlbrightWilliam Albright (musician)William Albright was an American composer, pianist and organist.Albright was born in Gary, Indiana, and began learning the piano at the age of five, and attended the Juilliard Preparatory Department , the Eastman School of Music and the University of Michigan , where he studied composition with...
- "Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano" by William AlbrightWilliam Albright (musician)William Albright was an American composer, pianist and organist.Albright was born in Gary, Indiana, and began learning the piano at the age of five, and attended the Juilliard Preparatory Department , the Eastman School of Music and the University of Michigan , where he studied composition with...
- "4 Pieces, Movements" by Georges Andrix
- "Concerto" by Wayne BarlowWayne BarlowWayne B. Barlow was an American composer of contemporary classical music...
- "Music for Saxophone and Piano" by Leslie BassettLeslie BassettLeslie Bassett is an American composer of classical music, and the University of Michigan’s Albert A. Stanley Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Composition...
- "Farewell" by Warren BensonWarren BensonWarren Benson was an American composer. His compositions consist mostly of music for wind instruments and percussion...
- "Star Edge" by Warren BensonWarren BensonWarren Benson was an American composer. His compositions consist mostly of music for wind instruments and percussion...
- "Concert Suite for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble" by William BolcomWilliam BolcomWilliam Elden Bolcom is an American composer and pianist. He has received the Pulitzer Prize, the National Medal of Arts, two Grammy Awards, the Detroit Music Award and was named 2007 Composer of the Year by Musical America. Bolcom taught composition at the University of Michigan from 1973–2008...
- "Lilith" by William BolcomWilliam BolcomWilliam Elden Bolcom is an American composer and pianist. He has received the Pulitzer Prize, the National Medal of Arts, two Grammy Awards, the Detroit Music Award and was named 2007 Composer of the Year by Musical America. Bolcom taught composition at the University of Michigan from 1973–2008...
- "Introduction and Dance" by Seymour Brandon
- "Quiet Exchange" by Stephen George Chapman
- "Whisper Rachel" by Stephen George Chapman
- "Simichai-ya" by Laura ClaytonLaura ClaytonLaura Clayton is an American pianist and composer. She was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and studied at the Peabody Conservatory and at Columbia University, New York, with Mario Davidovsky. She began studying composition with Darius Milhaud at the Aspen Music School and graduated with Master of...
- "Concertino" by Paul Cooper
- "One in Five in One" by Ellwood Derr
- "Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano" by David DiamondDavid Diamond (composer)David Leo Diamond was an American composer of classical music.-Life and career:He was born in Rochester, New York and studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Eastman School of Music under Bernard Rogers, also receiving lessons from Roger Sessions in New York City and Nadia Boulanger in...
- "Diary Part II" by Edward Diemente
- "Mirrors VI" by Edward Diemente
- "Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra of Wind Instruments" by Ross Lee FinneyRoss Lee FinneyRoss Lee Finney Junior was an American composer born in Wells, Minnesota who taught for many years at the University of Michigan. He studied with Nadia Boulanger, Edward Burlingame Hill, Alban Berg and Roger Sessions...
- "Canti" by Arnold FranchettiArnold FranchettiArnold Franchetti was a composer born in Lucca, Italy. Young Franchetti studied composition and piano with his father, the Baron Alberto Franchetti...
- "Quartetto" by Arnold FranchettiArnold FranchettiArnold Franchetti was a composer born in Lucca, Italy. Young Franchetti studied composition and piano with his father, the Baron Alberto Franchetti...
- "Sonata" by Arnold FranchettiArnold FranchettiArnold Franchetti was a composer born in Lucca, Italy. Young Franchetti studied composition and piano with his father, the Baron Alberto Franchetti...
- "Shu Gath Manna" by Steven Galante
- "Sintage" by Jack HaleJack HaleJack Hale is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton in the VFL during the 1940s before becoming a coach....
- "Concerto" by Walter HartleyWalter HartleyWalter Sinclair Hartley is an American composer of contemporary music.-Biography and education:He was born in Washington, D.C., began composing at age five and became seriously dedicated to it at sixteen. All his college degrees are from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester....
- "Duo for Saxophone and Piano" by Walter HartleyWalter HartleyWalter Sinclair Hartley is an American composer of contemporary music.-Biography and education:He was born in Washington, D.C., began composing at age five and became seriously dedicated to it at sixteen. All his college degrees are from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester....
- "Petite Suite" by Walter HartleyWalter HartleyWalter Sinclair Hartley is an American composer of contemporary music.-Biography and education:He was born in Washington, D.C., began composing at age five and became seriously dedicated to it at sixteen. All his college degrees are from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester....
- "Sonorities IV" by Walter HartleyWalter HartleyWalter Sinclair Hartley is an American composer of contemporary music.-Biography and education:He was born in Washington, D.C., began composing at age five and became seriously dedicated to it at sixteen. All his college degrees are from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester....
- "Elaboration" by John Stillman Huggler
- "Quartet" by Jeronimas Kacinkas
- "Concertino" by Frederick Charles Koch
- "Symphonic Rhapsody" by John Anthony LennonJohn Anthony LennonJohn Anthony Lennon is an American composer of contemporary classical music based in Georgia. He was raised in Mill Valley, California, and is a professor of composition at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia...
- "Fantasy-concerto in three movements" by Edward Jay Miller
- "Concerto" by Robert MyersRobert MyersRobert Myers is a theoretical physicist. Myers is a professor of physics at the University of Waterloo and at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics...
- "Allegro" by Vaclav NelhybelVáclav NelhýbelVáclav Nelhýbel was a Czech-American composer, mainly of works for student performers. He is considered one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century....
- "Fugatto" by Gregg Smith
- "Illoda" by Howie SmithHowie SmithHowie Smith, is a saxophonist, composer, jazz musician and educatorHowie Smith was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania in 1943...
- "Diary of Changes" by Jeffrey Steinberg
- "Tones" by Jeffrey Steinberg
- "Concerto" by Alec WilderAlec WilderAlec Wilder was an American composer.-Biography:...
- "Sonata" by Alec WilderAlec WilderAlec Wilder was an American composer.-Biography:...
- "Concerto" by Charles Rochester YoungCharles Rochester YoungCharles Rochester Young is an American composer, music educator, conductor and saxophonist.- Life :Young graduated from Baylor University in Waco , where in 1988 he earned his Bachelor of Music. He then studied at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and earned his Master of Music in 1990. In...
- "Cross Currents" by Charles Rochester YoungCharles Rochester YoungCharles Rochester Young is an American composer, music educator, conductor and saxophonist.- Life :Young graduated from Baylor University in Waco , where in 1988 he earned his Bachelor of Music. He then studied at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and earned his Master of Music in 1990. In...
Education
Professor Sinta began his formal musical education at the Larry TealLarry Teal
Larry Teal is considered by many to be the father of American Saxophone.Teal earned a Bachelors degree in Pre-Dentistry from the University of Michigan. While studying there he began playing in jazz bands as a saxophonist...
School of Music. He attended high school at the prestigious Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan, where his band director was legendary band conductor Harry Begian
Harry Begian
Dr. Harry Begian was an American Band Director. Dr. Begian taught at both the secondary and collegiate level during his career.At the secondary level, Dr. Begian served as band director at Detroit's Cass Technical High School from 1947 through 1964. During Dr. Begian’s tenure at Cass Tech, the band...
. Sinta received his bachelor's degree from Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
, and, in 1962, he earned a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
.