News

String Theory at the Hunter, in partnership with Lee University and the Hunter Museum of American Art, will present the Kenari Saxophone Quartet in concert on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m.  

“The Kenari Quartet is an innovative, genre-bending ensemble that demolishes all preconceived notions about the saxophone,” says Dr. Gloria Chien, String Theory founder and artistic director. “With a deep passion for collaboration and innovation, this quartet is taking top chamber music stages by storm and exposing the surprising range of sonorities of their capable instrument.” 

The group will perform Lago’s Ciudades, Rivier’s Grave et Presto, Peck’s Drastic Measures, Laganella’s Leafless Trees, and Borodin’s String Quartet no. 2. 

Members Bob Eason, soprano saxophone; Kyle Baldwin, alto saxophone; Corey Dundee, tenor saxophone; and Steven Banks, baritone saxophone; found a home performing on many of the premiere chamber music series in the United States. Recent engagements include appearances at Chamber Music Northwest, the Grand Teton Music Festival, and Chamber Music Tulsa. 
 
Applauded by Chamber Music Tulsa for its “electrifying stage presence and seductive sound,” the Kenari Quartet not only cultivates the highest level of performance, but has a deep passion for collaboration and innovation. As a testament to the flexibility of the saxophone quartet, Kenari was recently a featured artist in Baldwin Wallace Conservatory’s 86th Annual Bach Festival. While there, they collaborated with faculty, student musicians, and academics to present a residency centering around the influence of J.S. Bach on the late composer David Maslanka, as well as improvisation throughout musical history. 

The Kenari Quartet released their debut album, French Saxophone Quartets, on the Naxos Records label in 2016. The quartet also appears on David Deboor Canfield’s 2018 album, Saxophone Music, Vol. II, with their performance of Canfield’s Opus Pocus, a work that depicts famous magicians and illusionists such as Merlin and Houdini. 

Prior to the Tuesday performance, Musical Dialogues will take place at 6 p.m., where the artists will give an informal interview about their interpretations of the music, their experiences as professional musicians performing all over the world, and other fun facts that make the performance personal. 

“The Kenari Quartet will not only astonish String Theory concertgoers, but will also make an impact in our region through our annual community engagement residency,” said Chien. “We hope you will join us, spread the word, and bring many friends.” 

In addition to their Tuesday night performance, the Kenari Quartet will spend the rest of that week in Chattanooga performing educational outreach programs as part of String Theory’s Annual Artist Residency. This residency continues String Theory’s tradition of impactful community engagements in local schools, retirement communities, and afterschool music programs.  Concluding this residency, the Kenari Quartet will perform again at the Hunter on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m., for the annual Family Concert. This will be a fun, interactive concert perfect for kids of all ages.  

Tickets for the Tuesday evening concert are on sale now through January 17 and are $45 for general admission, $35 for Hunter members, and $10 for students and music teachers. 

Attendance to the Sunday afternoon concert is free with the price of museum admission. 

String Theory was founded in 2009 by Chien to expose new audiences to chamber music, invigorate the local classical music scene, and cultivate a future generation of music lovers.  

To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.stringtheorymusic.org  or call (423) 414-2525.