North Dakota Museum of Art to host 'Italian Sax Quartet' on Sunday
Feb. 2—GRAND FORKS — An acclaimed international ensemble, the Italian Saxophone Quartet will perform in concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at the North Dakota Museum of Art on the UND campus.
During the visit to Grand Forks, the award-winning group also will perform in Northwood, North Dakota; present a master class for UND music students; and present programs at a local high school and elementary school to expand kids' interest in music — all on Monday, Feb. 5.
Known for masterful playing and an entertaining performance style, the Italian Saxophone Quartet is planning a Sunday concert program that includes works by Gershwin, Piazzolla, Handel, Albeniz and others.
A wine and cheese reception will follow the concert, which is the third in the "Myra Foundation Presents: Concerts in the Galleries" series.
The Italian Saxophone Quartet has been performing for 40 years, making it one of the oldest ensembles currently active on the world stage, said Jennifer Tarlin, chamber music director at the North Dakota Museum of Art. The group has been praised for "giving exciting and eclectic performances to appreciative audiences from New York to Moscow, Athens to Tokyo," she said.
On Monday, the quartet will perform in concert at 7 p.m. at the Northwood Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 for adults. The concert is free for all Northwood students. The event is hosted by the Northwood Performing Arts Council.
Also on Monday, the musicians will lead a master class for UND music students, perform at East Grand Forks Senior High School and visit Winship Elementary School. The events are part of the museum's new program "Monday Concerts in the Schools," supported by the Neel Fund and the Iseminger Fund of the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region; Alerus; and Nancy and Glen Yoshida.
A few years ago, the last time the Italian Saxophone Quartet made a visit to Grand Forks, members of the Italian Saxophone Quartet "landed in a blizzard in Minneapolis and ended up giving an impromptu concert at the airport's baggage section, much to the delight of delayed travelers," Tarlin said. The group later arrived in Grand Forks, by train, in time for their Sunday concert at the museum.
Returning by popular demand, the group will be making its third visit to Grand Forks, she said. In earlier concerts here, "their antics and music inspired laughter and applause in equal measure," she said.
Tickets for Sunday's concert are $30 for museum members, $35 for non-members, and $10 for students and military. Children ages 11 and younger are admitted free of charge. Tickets may be purchased online in advance
(click on "Events" and then "Concerts in the Galleries") or in person at the museum anytime from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. A limited number of free tickets for K-12 educators are available.
Visitors are welcome to come early to Sunday's concert to enjoy the current exhibit of new acquisitions to the museum's permanent collection, Tarlin said. Doors open at 1 p.m.
Free parking is available in front of and adjacent to the museum.
For more information, call (701) 777-4195 or email
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