MEET THE ARTISTS
PALMETTO SAXOPHONE FESTIVAL
Dr. Jonathan Noffsinger
University of Alabama
Jon Noffsinger maintains an active performing schedule as a concert saxophonist and in diverse jazz and commercial idioms. Exploring and promoting these rich and diverse musical opportunities is central to his creative, teaching, and service activities. Numerous works have been written for Mr. Noffsinger and his students—often receiving their premieres at national and international conferences. Some of his recorded performances may be found in his collaborations with Demondrae Thurman, Snapshots (2013), The Birmingham Seven—Just Passing Through: The Birmingham Seven (2022 Summit 799), Yeah, About That (2016), Second Set (2014), and The Birmingham Seven (2012)—and, as one of the Tuscaloosa Horns, on the Temptations 2001 Motown release of “A Love I Can See” on the Awesome CD (440016 330-2). Jon Noffsinger is proud to be a contributing member of the Alabama Jazz Collective—comprised of Jazz Educators from throughout the state of Alabama, at leading universities, colleges, and high schools. Additionally, he has appeared as featured soloist with the Tuscaloosa and Huntsville Symphony Orchestras in Alabama and the Anderson Symphony Orchestra in South Carolina as well as multiple collaborations with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the orchestras of Mobile, Meridian, and the Alabama Gulf Coast. His achievements have been honored by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, the Arts & Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa County, Concert Artists Guild, the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, and the Conservatoire National de Region—Bordeaux. Mr. Noffsinger's principal teachers have included James Forger, Griffin Campbell, Jean-Marie Londeix, and Gerald Welker. Jon Noffsinger has served on the University of Alabama music faculty since 1993.
Dr. Stephen Fischer
University of Georgia
Stephen Fischer is the Outreach Administrator for University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music, which includes as the director of the UGA Community Music School and Summer Music Camps. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music education and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in saxophone performance.
As a performer, Dr. Fischer is a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance and has been invited to perform at the organization's national and regional conferences in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. He has also performed as a soloist and chamber musician at meetings of the World Saxophone Congress in Minneapolis, Minnesota (2003), Ljubljana, Slovenia (2006), St. Andrews, Scotland (2012), Strasbourg, France (2015), and most recently in Zagreb, Croatia (2018).
An avid supporter of new music, he regularly participates in the commissioning and premiering of new works. Dr. Fischer has recently premiered new works by composers Dave Deason, Roger Vogel, Natalie Williams, Ashley Floyd, Douglas Bassett, and Howard Buss.
Dr. Fischer maintains an active schedule as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. He previously served on the music faculties of Georgia College, Clemson University, and the University of West Georgia.
