Last Thursday saxophonist Shannon Ford performed at Adrian College.
Held in Dawson Auditorium, Ford gave a short 50 minute recital featuring her on clarinet and saxophone accompanied by Pamela Ashmore on piano.
Ford is an active performer in the Toledo area in both classical and jazz music, and has degrees from BGSU and Indiana State University. She has performed with numerous symphonies and recorded with several groups including sax quartets, trios, and large ensembles.
Ashmore has degrees from the University of Wisconsin as well as BGSU. She is on the piano faculty at Ohio Northern University and performs with numerous symphonies.
Ford performed five pieces, the first two on clarinet and the final three on saxophone: “Six Studies in English Folksong” by Williams, “Sontata” by Bernstein, “Syrinx” by Debussy, “Tango Etude No. 3” by Piazzolla, and “Sonatine Sportive” by Tcherepnine.
Ford described the third piece by Debussy.
“It’s a magnificent expression of life and death and the point at which those two meet,” she said.
She began her shortest recital ever by introducing the piece, explaining that the original composition was a folk melody intended for cello.
“Hope you’ll be as inspired by these pieces as I am,” Ford said.
One student of Shannon, junior Paulina Sutton said that she wished AC offered more opportunities like this. More professional performances by faculty members could help boost attendance and interest.
“I think they’re very inspiring. I’m more motivated to go to the practice room after hearing this,” Sutton said.
This was the first recital of the school year. It will make way for student junior and senior recitals as well as special guests that the department invites to perform.
Ford finished with a piece of music that was inspired by sports. The first of three depicted a boxing match, the second a period of rest when the athlete regains his focus, and the third a race in which the piano and saxophone race to the finish line and the piano narrowly wins.
“I enjoy coming to recitals that are my own instrument. She’s fantastic,” Sutton said.
Ford thanked everyone for attending and greeted attendees in the lobby at the recital’s finish.
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