Wes
Miller - Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute |
 |
Wes
holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from Bowling
Green State University where he was a student of Dr. John
Sampen. While at BGSU, he performed in master classes for
Don Sinta (University of Michigan), Fred Hemke (Northwestern
University), and Claude Delangle (Paris Conservatory).
As Lead Alto Saxophone in the University of Kentucky Jazz
Lab Band I, Wes studied under virtuoso trumpeter, Vincent
DiMartino. He was a member of the Black Swamp Saxophone
Quartet (BSSQ) and first prize winner in the 1991 Fischoff
National Chamber Music Competition. The BSSQ was the first
saxophone quartet to perform in the history of the prestigious
Philip's Gallery in Washington D.C. The quartet has also
been artist-in-residence at the Arosa Musikwochen in Switzerland.
He has performed with the Tulsa Philharmonic, Adrian Symphony,
Toledo Symphony, Toledo Concert Band, Columbus Symphony,
the United States Navy Band Woodwind Quintet, University
of Kentucky Orchestra, Bowling Green Philharmonia, the
Lexington Philharmonic and the Lancaster Festival Orchestra.
In addition to his saxophone studies, Wes has studied flute
with Dave Mel at BGSU and Gordon Cole at the University
of Kentucky. As a high school student, he studied with
Dr. Ronald Monsen at the University of Kentucky. Wes has
been teaching lessons both in private and group settings
for the past 20 years. Currently he teaches private lessons,
coaches the Glenn Echo Saxophone Quartet, the CMA Saxophone
Quartet, the CMA Saxophone Trio, plays with the Columbus
Music Academy Jazz Band and is a member of the Ohio Capital
Wind Ensemble (OCWE). As principal saxophonist in OCWE,
Wes has been featured on " Music in Mid Ohio," with
Christopher Purdy. This same ensemble is slated to perform
for President Bush during his visit to Columbus in May
2008. Wes is Co-Owner of Columbus Music Academy, Ltd.,
and is a Band Director in area schools and is the head
coordinator and director of the Columbus Chapter of "New
Horizons Music," an adult music program.
One
final note, Wes had found that many teachers are not prepared
to teach adult students. He enjoys teaching students of
all ages and is completely prepared
to lay out a plan of study for a student who is, for example, 50 years old
and desires to start playing an instrument. You're never
too old to start playing
an instrument and enjoy the experience. Currently, his oldest student is 79
and has been studying for approximately 3 years.
