This summer, School of Music faculty members John Hallberg and Michael Yoshimi, performed at the 20th World Saxophone Congress in Harbin, China. Representing Cal State Fullerton on the international stage, they presented a duo recital featuring two works. Their proposal was selected from among thousands of applications submitted by performers worldwide, earning a coveted place on this year’s program.
Their program included “Las Dolly Sisters” by Gabriela Ortiz, a celebrated Mexican composer and music educator known for her vibrant fusion of contemporary classical and Latin American musical idioms. The piece, scored for alto saxophone and clarinet, pays tribute to the glamorous 1920s Hungarian-American vaudeville duo, capturing their charm and energy through rhythmically driven and expressive interplay between the instruments.
Also featured was the third movement from Bedřich Smetana’s Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15, a dramatic and virtuosic work originally written for violin, cello and piano. The movement was specially arranged for clarinet, alto saxophone and piano by current CSUF music major Lennon Gamez. Hallberg and Yoshimi were joined by pianist Wenjing Liu-Hallberg, who brought Smetana’s fiery textures to life in this dynamic adaptation.
The World Saxophone Congress, first held in Chicago in 1969, is a triennial international gathering that brings together saxophonists, composers, educators and researchers from around the world. Each edition of the Congress showcases performances, lectures and premieres that highlight the versatility and global reach of the saxophone. The 20th Congress in Harbin marked a significant milestone for the event, hosting hundreds of participants from more than 30 countries.