Frederick Hemke
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Frederick L. Hemke (b. 11 July 1935) is a world renowned American saxophonist and pedagogue.
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[edit] Education
Fred Hemke is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He began his formal music education in 1953 at Wisconsin State College of Milwaukee (a predecessor of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). He earned the A.Mus.D. (doctorate) degree in 1975 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In September 1955 he began studies with Marcel Mule at the Paris Conservatoire National de Musique et de Declamation in Paris, France.
[edit] Posts
Since 1962, Dr. Hemke has been the professor of saxophone at the Northwestern University School of Music in Evanston, Illinois. He currently serves as Louis and Elsie Snydacker Eckstein Professor of Music and Associate Dean of the School of Music. In this position he has taught hundreds of talented saxophonists, many who have gone on to become well known teachers in their own right. "His students teach and perform in major teaching and performing positions throughout the world."[1]
He has edited a substantial collection of music for saxophone solo and ensembles, most of which is published by the Southern Music Company. He has authored many articles and educational materials.
Dr. Hemke is well known as the designer of a line of reeds which bear his name. Rico Reeds began making "Frederick L. Hemke" brand saxophone reeds in 1982.
Hemke is an artist-clinician for The Selmer Company, a well-known manufacturer of saxophones, based in Paris, France.
In 1979 Hemke was host for the Sixth World Saxophone Congress held at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
[edit] Performances
Hemke is an internationally acknowledged saxophone player, and he has appeared as a soloist in addition to giving master classes and lectures in the United States, Canada, Scandinavia, and the Far East. He has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and many other orchestras.
[edit] Recordings and Publications
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In 1975, Hemke's doctoral dissertation, The Early History of the Saxophone was published. It explores in depth the saxophone's history and gradual acceptance in the realm of symphonic music.
Among his solo releases are:
- “The American Saxophone”
- "Music for Tenor Saxophone" (1975)
- "Simple Gifts" (2006)
- (need list of other recordings)
He is featured on several recordings, including:
- Allan Pettersson's “Symphony No. 16” with Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (a work commissioned by Mr. Hemke) ([2])
- “Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra of Wind Instruments” with the Northwestern University Wind Ensemble
- He appears on six recordings with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
- He has recorded with the Kronos Quartet, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, and the Contemporary Chamber Players.
Numerous pieces have been written for him or dedicated to him, including:
- "Music for Tenor Saxophone and Piano," written by M. William Karlins in 1969. This piece includes modern playing techniques[3]
[edit] Awards and honors
In 1956, he became the first American to be awarded the prestigious Premiere Prix du Saxophone at the Paris Conservatory.
He has received the Kappa Kappa Psi "Distinguished Service to Music Award."
[edit] External links
- Article by Hemke about Marcel Mule
- His official site
- Saxophone timeline With list of milestones contributed by Mr. Hemke
