A Message from the Commanding Officer - The United States Navy ...

A Message from the Commanding Officer
Hosting the International Saxophone Symposium is a U.S.
Navy Band tradition that is now in its 34th year. The Symposium
has grown from a two-day event held in the historic Sail Loft of
the Washington Navy Yard to one that occupies several buildings
at George Mason University. Today it is one of the largest events
of its kind held anywhere in the world, and one that exemplifies
the Navy’s new motto of “A Global Force for Good” by entertaining
and educating saxophonists and encouraging a healthy sense
of camaraderie between all attendees. The Symposium nurtures
enduring bonds of friendship and mutual respect from all participants,
whether they are military, college and high school musicians
or leading university professors, music teachers and professional
civilian performers.
I am pleased to present a talented array of soloists for Friday
night’s concert that include Branford Marsalis, Barry Cockcroft, Chien-Kwan Lin and Navy Band’s Senior
Chief Musician Timothy Roberts. Additionally, Mr. Marsalis will be performing on Saturday as guest soloist
with the Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble. One could say that each one of these amazingly gifted
and inspiring soloists, alongside the Navy Band, is a “Global Force for Good” as they travel the world
educating and entertaining millions of people.
I would personally like to thank all the participants as well as the volunteers from the Navy Band for
their hard work and effort to make this year’s Symposium one of the best ever.
Captain Brian O. Walden, USN
Commanding Officer/Leader