Donald Sinta Quartet
Saxophonist Daniel Graser is emerging as one of the most innovative performers and pedagogues of his generation. A recent recipient of the Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan, Dan served as Teaching Assistant to legendary saxophone pedagogue Donald Sinta for the past three years and joined the faculty of Oakland University School of Music, Theater, and Dance in 2011. Previously, Dan earned a Masters Degree from the University of Michigan in 2008 and Bachelors degrees in music theory/history and saxophone performance as a student of Dr. Timothy McAllister at the Crane School of Music in 2007. As an orchestral performer, Dan has performed as principal saxophonist with the National Wind Ensemble in Carnegie Hall under H. Robert Reynolds, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin, The New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas and John Adams, the Ann Arbor Symphony under Arie Lipsky, the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra under Kenneth Kiesler, the Hot Springs Festival Orchestra under Richard Rosenberg, and the Orchestra of Northern New York under Kenneth Andrews. Dan was selected by the University of Michigan to be featured as a recitalist at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC as part of the Millenium Stage Series. Recent and forthcoming performances include world premieres at the University of Michigan, orchestral performances with the New World Symphony and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as well as chamber music performances at the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium and the 2012 North American Saxophone Association Biennial Conference.
As a chamber musician Dan has performed as soprano saxophonist with the Cornerstone Quartet, NY State MTNA competition winners and three-time Crane Chamber Competition winners. Also Dan performed in the prestigious Crane Quartet as baritone saxophonist, as soprano saxophonist of the Echo Quartet, and alto saxophonist of Trio Immolatus, a mixed chamber ensemble comprised of saxophone, viola, and piano. Currently, Dan is soprano chair of the Donald Sinta Saxophone Quartet who were featured soloists for the University of Michigan's 2011 tour to China and Los Angeles performing the world premiere of William Bolcom's Concerto Grosso for sax quartet and band in the most prestigious concert halls in Beijing, Shanghai and Los Angeles. The quartet will be featured on the band's forthcoming release, Artifacts, on the Equilibrium label performing the same work. This summer will feature the quartet in recital in Thessaloniki, Greece for the International Society for Music Education Conference as well as in St. Andrews, Scotland for the World Saxophone Congress.
Greatly in demand as an educator, Dan has given master-classes at public schools and colleges throughout the world. Recently Dan gave master-classes and recitals at the Shanghai Conservatory, China Conservatory, and the Beijing Conservatory, presenting new research on the role of the oral cavity in saxophone performance for the development of the altissimo register. His students have gained admission to prestigious saxophone studios around the country in performance, jazz studies, and education degree programs. In addition to his appointment at Oakland University Dan maintains an active studio in Ann Arbor and serves on the faculty of the Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts, The Expressions Music Academy in Novi, and the summer faculty of the Mpulse Saxophone Institute at the University of Michigan.
"Artifacts" Michigan Symphony Band, Equilibrium Records - 100. Featured soloist in William Bolcom - "Concerto Grosso."