Benjamin Sorrell, alto saxophone; Anthony Green, piano. Recording of the premiere performance, Grusin Hall, University of Colorado at Boulder, 30 November, 2011. 

Weightless (2011)

Hailed as “the ideal collaborator for new music” and praised for his “beautiful tone and technique“ by Brutal New Music Review, saxophonist and new music curator Drew Hosler (he/him/his) is an advocate for contemporary music. Drew has commissioned, premiered, and collaborated on over 150 pieces by award-winning composers such as Andrew Mead, Jamie Leigh Sampson, David Heinick, Matthew Kennedy, and Marilyn Shrude. His upcoming debut solo album, delta waves, features thirteen world premiere recordings of 21st century works for the tenor saxophone funded in part by the EXCEL Enterprise Fund and ArtsEngine. His 2020 self-released EP Hope Will Carry Us COVID-19: Music for Solo Tenor Saxophone features eleven world premiere recordings from composers all over the world. It was featured on WSMR Florida’s Classical Music Station’s Modern Notebook hosted by Tyler Kline.

Drew is an avid performer as a soloist. In 2022, he gave the world premiere of Josh Trentadue’s tenor saxophone concerto, To fly and to fall with conductor Kim Fleming and musicians of The University of Michigan. Additionally, he has performed concerti by Walter Mays and William Albright with the Bowling Green Philharmonia and the BGSU Concert Band under the baton of Alexander Popovici and Bruce Moss respectively. He has also performed a variety of music for solo saxophone at the New Music Gathering, University of Kansas New Music Guild, 15-Minutes-of-Fame, New Music Mosaic, Boston New Music Initiative, as well as various North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences. He was awarded prize at the 2022 Vivaldi International Music Competition, the 2021 Charleston International Music Competition’s Contemporary Music Competition, the 2022 London Classical Music Competition, and the 51st Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Competition in Music Performance in 2017. Drew has also performed with ensembles such as the Saginaw Eddy Concert Band and the Lima Symphony Orchestra.

Drew is a founding member, saxophonist, and artistic director for the new music ensemble, The _____ Experiment. To date, the ensemble has worked with composers to premiere over 30 works for various mixed chamber instrumentations. In March 2020, The _____ Experiment released their debut album, Conversations, which includes seven world premiere recordings from five different composers which was funded partially by the Running Start Competition through Michigan State University. They were the guest ensemble for Praecepta’s New Music Mini-Fest at BGSU’s College of Musical Arts where they performed 10 pieces including 7 world premieres by BGSU graduate students and alumni. The ensemble has performed across the country, including the Michigan State University College of Music, SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music, the Flint Institute of Music, and Narloch Piano Studio in Chicago. In addition, the ensemble was awarded multiple prizes through the Charleston International Music Competition’s 2021 Contemporary Music Competition. This includes first prize for their performance of Jasper Sussman’s …nice box! “Oh So Square“ for tenor saxophone and harp. Upcoming engagements include performances with New Music Chicago and the University of Florida. In addition, Drew currently serves as the Assistant Managing Director for the Cleveland Uncommon Sound Project. 

Drew holds a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance, a Master of Music in Chamber Music, and a Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship & Leadership from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. He also holds a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance from Bowling Green State University College of Music Arts. Prior to that, he studied at the Flint Institute of Music. His primary instructors have been Timothy McAllister, John Sampen, and Jeffrey Price.

Hey y'all! I compose, I perform in many different ways, and much of my practice involves social justice. I also am an advocate for young, upcoming Black composers around the world. Are you one? Please reach out to me! Enjoy my SoundCloud, and for more madness, check out my website, twitter, IG, and Vimeo links below. Don't be shy, say hi! Or don't be shello, say hello ...

Dedicated to celebrating Black artistry through music.

Weightless (2011)

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