The Cornerstone Saxophone Quartet
Won’t You Be My Valentine?
Sunday, February 9, 4pm
Please join us as we present an exciting program of classical transcriptions, jazz, marches, and original music for Saxophone Quartet. The musicians are all retired Washington, D.C. premier military band members.
The concert is free, and the community is welcome! Donations are welcomed and accepted at the door. For more information, email rbc@ravensworthbaptist.org
The Cornerstone Saxophone Quartet is comprised of musicians whose individual professional careers span more than three decades. Each member has been a career military musician with one of the premier military bands in Washington, DC. Having served in concert and ceremonial units, they have performed for five U.S. Presidents, world leaders and dignitaries, veterans, civilians, and on innumerable concerts, ceremonies and national tours. In the civilian sector, their careers include positions as music directors, teachers, clinicians and private instructors in the greater Washington, DC area. From Bach to Bartok, marches to jazz, traditional French literature to Americana and Latin, their performances allow audiences to enjoy an eclectic mix of musical styles. They have performed at numerous retirement homes, local churches and have presented recitals at the 2017 and 2018 Navy Band Saxophone International Symposium. In addition, they were recently a featured guest artist quartet at the Frederick L. Hemke Saxophone Institute at Snow Pond Music Festival in Maine.
Cornerstone Saxophone Quartet Members
William Marr served 30 years with the United States Air Force Concert Band and Saxophone Quartet. He was frequently a featured soloist on national tours and can be heard on over 50 recordings with the USAF Band (which can be heard online at the USAF Band website). Bill served his last 2 years as the band’s Chief Enlisted Manager. He currently teaches saxophone at the Levine School of Music in Arlington, Virginia. Prior to joining the USAF, Bill earned degrees in saxophone performance from the University of South Carolina and Northwestern University. Bill is married to Cynthia Marr and they have two daughters, Jessica and Emily.
Sheila Nevius served 13 years with The United States Army Field Band and eight years with the 257th Army Band in Washington, DC. In each band, Sheila was a featured soloist, saxophone section leader, clinician, and recitalist. She received her Bachelors of Music from University of Massachusetts and Masters of Music in performance from University of Illinois. Sheila teaches at Goucher College, Limelight Music School and maintains a private saxophone and clarinet studio. She is married to Dan Nevius and they have one son, Benjamin.
Cynthia Marr is an Army and Navy veteran of 24 years. She served 12 years with The United States Navy Band and continued service in the 257th and 249th Army Bands. Cynthia was a featured soloist, section leader, Coordinator for the Navy Band’s International Saxophone Symposium and First Sergeant. Prior to the military, she earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University. Cynthia is currently the Orchestra Director at First Baptist Church Alexandria, VA and a private saxophone instructor. She and husband Bill, have two daughters, Jessica and Emily.
Dr. Robert Beeson is an Army veteran of 29 year and served with The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” at Fort Myer, VA. He currently teaches saxophone and directs the jazz ensemble at The Catholic University of America and is Music Director, First Lutheran Church Huntingtown, MD. Bob earned degrees from University of Delaware and Northwestern University prior to receiving his Doctoral of Musical Arts from University of Maryland. He lives in Calvert County, MD with his wife Marilyn, son Tristan, daughter Marina and loves spending time with his family and two feisty Boston Terriers.