Originally from Mesa, Arizona, John’s performance endeavors have taken him all over the world. He has performed concerts in Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, UK, and the United States. John has had the opportunity to participate in various master classes and private instruction with virtuosos in the music world. Artists such as the Mana Saxophone Quartet, Wildy Zumwalt, Lawrence Gwozdz, Chien-Kwan Lin, Vincent David, and others. All have shared their insight on the saxophone and education through these workshops, master classes, and lessons. 

In May 2013, John studied with the world renowned Raschèr Saxophone Quartet in Marktoberdorf, Germany. During his stay, he received instruction through lessons, master classes, quartet coachings, and large ensembles. 

In addition to performing solo repertoire, John is a passionate advocate of chamber music. He strives to use these kinds of relationships in music as a basis in his teaching pedagogy. John was a winner of the 2013 NAU Concerto Competition performing Concertino da Camera by Jacques Ibert. On May 26th, 2013 he performed Concertino da Camera with the Northern Arizona University Symphonic Orchestra. 

Currently John resides in Tallahassee, Florida attending Florida State University where he is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Performance. He graduated from Northern Arizona University with Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Performance. His saxophone studies have included work with Patrick Meighan, Jonathan Bergeron, and Bryon Ruth.

Championed by Chamber Music Magazine as “Saxophone Ambassadors”, the Mana Quartet has, since its inception in 2007, presented fresh interpretations of 21st-century repertoire and many virtually unheard of 20th-century masterworks. Using vintage instruments built to the specifications of the saxophone’s inventor, Adolphe Sax, Mana’s passionate presentations offer audiences a chance to view the saxophone in a new light – a striking aesthetic characterized by intrinsic warmth, dynamic range of character, and absolute versatility. Mana redefines the saxophone quartet and the saxophone’s place in classical music.

In 2009, the group became the first saxophone quartet in history to receive the coveted Grand Prize at the Coleman International Chamber Ensemble Competition, quickly elevating them to the professional chamber music arena. Since then, the group has taken on a growing list of residencies at major music festivals and universities, as well as countless community outreach concerts and events throughout the United States and Europe. Mana is repeatedly featured on NPR’s Performance Today, with orchestras across North America in featured concerto appearances, and maintains a high profile on the chamber circuit.

Mana is currently the Resident Chamber Ensemble at the National Music Festival, where they recently performed Philip Glass’s Concerto for Saxophone Quartet with the festival orchestra and hosted their 5th annual Mana Saxophone Institute, an internationally attended two-week intensive apprenticeship program. In 2011, Mana was invited to join the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, as the Young Professionals in Residence. From 2009-2011 Mana served as the Artistic Ensemble in Residence at the Hot Springs Music Festival, where they gave the United States Premiere of Swedish composer Anders Nilsson’s Concerto Grosso for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra, in 2010

The Mana Quartet is a D’Addario Performing Ensemble and performs exclusively on Reserve Classic reeds.

all of my posts are just .wav files that i export from GP because i'm too embarrassed to put actual audio of myself playing anything

For more info visit:
www.thomasgilessax.com
www.themanaquartet.com

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