North American Saxophone Alliance
| Formation | 1 January 1976 |
|---|---|
President | Kenneth Tse |
| Website |
www www |
The North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) is an organization for saxophone players from around North America.
History
Following the lead of their colleagues in France, who created the Association of French Saxophonists in 1971, the North American Saxophone Alliance was established in 1976 under the leadership of Frederick Hemke. Since this time, NASA has offered state, regional, and international conferences attracting many important saxophonists to present performances, lectures and master classes, as-well-as found competitions for the next generation of classical and jazz saxophonists. NASA is the largest saxophone organization in the western hemisphere dedicated to the establishment of the saxophone as a medium of serious musical expression.
Members are required to pay dues, which vary depending on age. NASA hosts regional conferences for each of its 10 regions (information below). It also hosts a biennial international conference. The 2014 conference was held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on March 20-24, 2014 featuring classical saxophone artists Fred Hemke, Eugene Rousseau, and Don Sinta, as-well-as jazz saxophonists Jeff Coffin, Brad Leali, and Chip McNeil. The 2014 NASA Conference co-hosts are Debra Richtmeyer and J. Michael Holmes.
Past NASA biennial conferences
- 2016: Texas Tech University (host: David Dees)
- 2014: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (hosts: Debra Richtmeyer & J. Michael Holmes)
- 2012: Arizona State University (host: Timothy McAllister)
- 2010: University of Georgia (host: Kenneth/Stephen Fischer)
- 2008: University of South Carolina (host: Clifford Leaman)
- 2006: University of Iowa (host: Kenneth Tse)
- 2004: University of North Carolina (host: Steve Stusek)
- 2002: University of North Texas (host: Eric Nestler)
- 2000: University of Arizona (host: Kelland Thomas)
- 1998: Northwestern University (hosts: Frederick Hemke & Jonathan Helton)
- 1996: University of Florida (host: Jonathan Helton)
- 1994: University of West Virginia (host: David Hastings & Curtis Johnson)
Leadership
- Founding coordinator
- 1976–1978: Frederick Hemke
- Presidents
- 1978–1980: Eugene Rousseau
- 1989–1984 Steven Mauk
- 1984–1986: Kenneth Fischer
- 1986–1988: Ronald Caravan
- 1988–1991: Dale Underwood
- 1992–1993 William Street
- 1995–1996: Michael Jacobson
- 1997–1999: Kandace Brooks
- 1999–2000: John Sampen
- 2001–2002: Paul Bro
- 2003–2004: Joseph Lulloff
- 2005–2006: Jonathan Helton
- 2007–2008: Steven Stusek
- 2009–2010: Debra Richtmeyer
- 2011–2012: John Nichol
- 2013–2014: Clifford Leaman
- 2014–present: Kenneth Tse
Regions
NASA is divided into eleven regions dividing Canada, the United States of America, and surrounding territories.
- Region 1: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska
- Region 2: California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Hawaii
- Region 3: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa
- Region 4: Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Arkansas
- Region 5: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan
- Region 6: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico
- Region 7: Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C.
- Region 8: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine
- Region 9: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories
- Region 10: Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island