Grayling Visitors Bureau

Saxophonist to Present In Transit:  A Tour of the Many Voices of the Saxophone

Friday, June 22, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church, 400 E. Michigan Ave., Grayling, Michigan, will be the site for In Transit: A Tour of the Many Voices of the Saxophone presented by Todd Gaffke.

Saxophonist Todd Gaffke enjoys a diverse musical career as a performer and educator.  He has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and in Europe performing a variety of modern saxophone works as well as classics and transcriptions. He has performed in numerous orchestras around Michigan including the Flint, Saginaw, Midland, Jackson, and West Michigan Symphony Orchestras.

Todd’s playing has garnered numerous honors.  Notable awards include: Downbeat Magazine’s Outstanding Classical Soloist Award, 2^nd Prize in the White Lake Solo Competition, winner of the Central Michigan University (CMU) Concerto Competition, and the Liberace Foundation Scholarship Competition.  He has performed extensively with the West Circle and Trillium Saxophone Quartets earning 1^st Prize in the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, MTNA State Chamber Music Competition (MI), and Semi-Finalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.  These groups have also performed frequently in recitals and community outreach concerts.

In addition, Todd frequently performs in jazz, salsa, and world fusion groups.  He has performed with Terri Lyne Carrington, Bobby Watson, Cyrus Chestnut, the Harry James Orchestra, and the Lansing Symphony Big Band.  His honors in jazz performance include the Robert Hays Jazz Award, Jack Saunders Jazz Award, and the Elmhurst Jazz Festival Outstanding Soloist.  He also regularly performs with Salsa Verde and The Nomads.  Todd has performed in numerous music festivals including the Detroit Jazz Festival, Lansing Jazz Festival, and Arts, Beats, and Eats, among others.

A native of Grayling, Michigan, Mr. Gaffke began his musical training in the local school music program of Crawford AuSable School District.  From there he went on to CMU earning the Bachelor of Music degree in saxophone performance studying saxophone with John Nichol, and jazz improvisation with Rob Smith.  He then earned the Master of Music in saxophone performance from Michigan State University (MSU).  Currently, he is pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance at MSU studying with Joseph Lulloff.

As an educator, Mr. Gaffke has worked with students from many levels ranging from elementary school to the university level.  He is Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at Grand Valley State University and has served as the saxophone teaching-assistant at MSU and CMU.  He has taught at several camps for middle and high school students including the Interlochen All-State Band Camp and has given clinics in public schools around Michigan.  He also maintains a private saxophone studio in the Lansing area.

Mr. Gaffke will perform works by Decruck, Franck, Delvincourt, Zupko, and Dorsey in the sanctuary of Michelson Church.  Admission is free with donations to benefit Michelson’s Relay for Life team.

Contact:  Todd Gaffke, 989-619-0154, Lansing, Michigan

Local contact:  Tom and Janet Gaffke, 989-348-1622, Grayling, Michigan