Boston Saxophone Quartet

2012 Finalists for BSQ  Noteworthy Scholars
Matt Pitts, Dan Whitelock (winner), Lois Roach (Program Coordinator First Night)
Connor Higgins, David Estes-Smargiassi (L-R)

Finalists comments on their experiences with the BSQ

My name is Dan Whitelock. I am a junior at the Boston Arts Academy and I have competed in the BSQ First Night arranging and composition competition for three years in a row. My experiences with the Boston Saxophone Quartet have been very valuable to my growth as a musician, composer, and arranger. I have learned a lot from working with Peter Cokkinias and the other members of the BSQ. The Noteworthy Scholars Program provides a wonderful opportunity to have students' original work performed by skilled professionals. I look forward to participating next year!

My name is Connor Higgins, and I participated in the composition competition for the BSQ, the Noteworthy Scholars Program, and Peter Cokkinias, and I would like to share my experience of working with them.  My music teacher, Mr. Snyder, recommended that I enter the competition to arrange a piece for a saxophone quartet, and even though I had never arranged anything before, I decided to give it a shot.  This project made me learn a lot about music theory and arranging.  I now feel a lot more comfortable working with transposing, which is something that I had just learned about in my AP Music Theory class.  Mr. Cokkinias was also a big help as he contacted me several times to go over deadlines and other details about the competition, and to offer any help if I needed it.  Even though I didn't win the competition, I still feel very proud of my piece, and I am glad that I had the opportunity to participate in this competition.