Boston Saxophone Quartet Reviews

11/14/23

Dear Boston Saxophone Quartet and Music Performance Trust Fund,

I want to express my sincere gratitude for your work with our music students at Lynnfield High School. The level of musicianship and professionalism demonstrated was truly remarkable, providing an unforgettable experience for our students. For many of these young musicians, the opportunity to witness performers of your caliber up close is rare, and it was quite inspiring.

Moreover, the compassion, humor, and openness exhibited by the performers during their interactions with the students were so heartwarming. Your visit has left a lasting impression on our music program and created enthusiasm among our students. Thank you for contributing to the enrichment of our musical education at Lynnfield High School.

Harry Wagg
Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator, Instrumental Director
Lynnfield Public Schools

It was an absolute pleasure to work with the Boston Saxophone Quartet and participate in the Noteworthy Scholars project. To have my arrangement performed by professional musicians was a tremendous honor and privilege, and I will always remember this wonderful experience.

Jacqueline Zhu
Winner of Noteworthy Scholars
December 31, 2022 Boston Public Library

December, 2022

"I highly recommend booking the Boston Saxophone Quartet for your next event. They are very talented musicians who can perform a wide array of compositions from across time. They are professional with communication, as well as fantastic entertainers, both musically and in between pieces."

Matt Schuman (he/they)
Programming and Partnerships Librarian
Cary Memorial Library
1874 Massachusetts Ave.
Lexington, MA 02420

August 19, 2022

"Thanks so very much for the wonderful concert. I loved every minute of it. Please thank all the guys for me. We will have you back. "

Kimberly Sliney, Coordinator Belmont
Senior Center

North Hill

April 28, 2022

The Boston Saxophone Quartet entertained - and delighted – a very engaged audience at North Hill Retirement Community on April 28, 2022. Peter Cokkinias, who organized the event with me was charming and responsive. The group had a great rapport with the audience, answering questions and connecting with them. The residents have already asked me to plan a return visit!

-Krissy Fleming, PurposeFULL Living Program Manager at North Hill in Needham MA

August 26th 2021

Lynnfield Sunrise Senior Living

The Boston Saxophone Quartet performed at the Sunrise of Lynnfield Senior Living on Thursday, August 26th, 2021; our audience was enthusiastic and requested some Ragtime selections which we gladly performed.

Review

"The Residents and I enjoyed your performance so much. It was very lively and kept them entertained. You guys were super accommodating and champs to perform under the hot weather. Thank you."

Mayra Rodriguez, Activities Director
Sunrise of Lynnfield Senior Living

Friday, September 27, 2019
Worcester Medical Society Gala, Mechanics Hall, Worcester

“The band was great.”
“The band was a nice touch for such a special occasion.”
“The music and dancing were perfect.”

Martha Wright, Executive Director of the Worcester Medical Society

Boston First Night 2018

"I sincerely enjoyed working with the Boston Sax Quartet. They were very helpful in refining my piece and kind enough to play it on the Boston First Night concert. The piece was performed exactly how I wanted and sounded amazing. Overall, they are fantastic group of musicians and I would love to work with them again."

Alicia Yu

"The BSQ was a very nice experience to listen to a saxophone quartet and hearing my own work be performed by those instruments as well as hearing other pieces that were traditionally for strings."

LeeDaniel Tran

"I had a wonderful experience writing a piece and being able to hear it performed by professionals! It was a pleasure to work with you and the Boston Saxophone Quartet."

Deena Corkindale

“Participating in the Noteworthy Scholars competition was a marvelous experience that wonderfully helped us as students grow as learners and use creativity. Hearing my piece played and all the other participants’ pieces was a gratifying experience and I thank the BSQ very much for their work and effort put into playing it so beautifully.”

Perrin Price, Boston Latin School, Class of 2019

“Noteworthy Scholars is a fantastic opportunity for young composers. It’s wonderful for them to be able to write for a not-so-common ensemble, which is a great learning experience, and to have the helpful and positive feedback of this experienced, professional group of musicians.”

Eva Kendrick, composition teacher at Community Music School Boston

Monday, November 5th 2018

"The Boston Saxophone Quartet gave a beautiful concert at the Boston Athenaeum. They showcased many different musical styles. An excellent performance."

Elsa Fogg Vernon
Technical Coordinator of Events
Boston Athenaeum

Bright View Senior Living
North Andover, MA
Saturday, October 13, 2018

Fifth Anniversary Celebration

"Just amazing… you guys were great! “

Gina, Concierge , Bright View Senior Living

October 13, 2017

All Swing Program at Nichols Village, Groveland

"The residents at Nichols Village, An Independent Retirement Community in Groveland, MA, were recently entertained by the BSQ. They thoroughly enjoyed the performance not only because of their professionalism and talented backgrounds, but because they engaged the residents. They made the music come to life for the residents because they explained the background to each number performed, and had lively banter go back and forth over the course of the evening. A nice connection between musicians and audience. A fabulous evening for all."

Jane P. Collins, Activity Director

January 21, 2015

Here Comes America ..... WWI
BOSTON SAXOPHONE QUARTET
World War I

"Thank you for a great performance. I think it was well researched and everyone had a great time."

Gavin Kleespies, Director of Programs
Massachusetts Historical Society
1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215

Dear Peter,

[A]ttached is a letter from the president of the Friends of MHL about the BSQ concert last Sunday [March 30, 2014]. You brought a lot of joy to many people on Sunday. I am sharing your information with my fellow library program planners.

Best regards,

Stefani Traina
Community Services Librarian

Boston Sax Quartet

Dear Peter Cokkinias (and BSQ),

Your wonderful performance in the Transportation Building at First Night this year provided an unexpected gift to the audience - and to the community. Hearing three pieces composed by young local students was a thrill. They were complex pieces of exceptionally high quality, offering them publicly validated young people in the community, and truly furthered one of the aims of First Night in supporting local artists. I hope that you continue to draw on local talent this way, and that others follow your fine example. Thank you so much.

Ellen Sarkisian
Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, Harvard University
January 2012

Peter,

Happy New Year! First, I want to tell you how much I enjoyed hearing your group perform at First Night. The musicianship and the sound of your group was amazing. The way the four of you blended, balanced, articulated and peformed the wonderful arrangements was really impressive. Second, your idea of including pieces written by CMHSA students showed the tremendous commitment you have to the program and the students involved. The special recognition you showed Daniel Whitelock at the event--with his family in attendance--was wonderful. I, and I'm sure they, will never forget the opportunity you provided them. I was blown away!

Thanks, Bob Doezema

Director Berklee City Saturday Program
January 2012

My daughter and I truly enjoyed ourselves. The concert was lively and entertaining. These musicians are Masters of their craft. Members of the audience-young and old-were moved by the energy of the performance.

Beth Doherty, proprietor
Corner Cafe & Bakery, Topsfield, MA.

June 2011

Good morning Peter,

I just wanted to thank you again for allowing students the opportunity to compose for the First Night Composition Competition. My students always have a great experience working on their compositions. The icing on the cake is hearing the original composition performed at First Night. The Boston Saxophone Quartet is a pleasure to listen to regardless of what you're playing, but to hear original compositions of our Boston students is very rewarding. I look forward to receiving the details for the next composition competition. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help out.

Sincerely,

Ryan Snyder
Boston Latin School, music director