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Bowling Green State University

The Theatrical Saxophone: Visual and Narrative Elements in Contemporary Saxophone Music

Abstract

dc:description

Many examples of contemporary saxophone music incorporate visual and narrative elements that can be deemed “theatrical”: choreographed movements or gestures, the elocution of text, specific staging and lighting indications, the inclusion of props, and costuming. Distinctly different from the theatrical genres of opera and ballet, the use of these extra-musical components represents a collaboration between music and related art forms. Such presentations contribute to a heightened sense of excitement and anticipation that is unique to works of this kind.This study will: 1) Identify the historical precedents of theatre in music prior to 1970; 2) Identify major composers and performers of theatrical music for the saxophone; 3) Examine current representative examples of solo, chamber, and large ensemble music for the saxophone; 4) Describe collaboration across areas of the arts for site-specific, large-scale works including saxophone; and 5) Provide an annotated bibliography of works for saxophone that include elements of theatre.The aim of this document is to provide a comprehensive dissection of theatre in the performance of concert music relating to the saxophone. This study will identify literature and inform the study of theatrical works, enabling saxophonists to perform pieces in a manner that is genuine, accurate, and honors the composer’s intent.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Deleted category per request
Grantor dc:publisher
Bowling Green State University
Year dc:date
2013

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Fusik, James Paul
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Sampen, John

Subjects

dc:subject × 17

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • unrestricted
  • This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
Language dc:language
English

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:bgsu1363599296

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
OhioLINK
Base URL
etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_etd/ws/oai/oai
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Fusik, James Paul. The Theatrical Saxophone: Visual and Narrative Elements in Contemporary Saxophone Music. doctoral thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1363599296