ABOUT THE PERFORMER Evan Gartner, baritone saxophone
Evan Gartner is a second-year graduate student at West Chester University. Before pursuing his master’s degree, he received his Bachelor of Music Education also from West Chester University. Over the past six years, he has studied saxophone with Professor Jonathan Ragonese and Dr. Derek Granger. Throughout his academic career, Evan has played with many of the ensembles West Chester University has to offer. In The West Chester University Criterions Jazz Ensemble, Evan had the opportunity to meet and share the stage with world renowned musicians such as David Liebman, Nicholas Payton, Tim Warfield, and Bob Curnow. Under the direction of Dr. Andrew Yozviak, Evan is currently the baritone saxophone player for the West Chester University Wind Ensemble, the university’s premiere wind band. With the Wind Ensemble, he is featured on several CDs released on Mark Custom Records such as Ribbons, and Games. Throughout his time in the Wind Ensemble, Evan was also able to work under the direction of guest artists such as Kelijah Dunton and Viet Cuong. At the end of his undergraduate career, Evan travelled with the Wind Ensemble to Germany, where he was able to perform in various cities across the country. Evan has played with various saxophone quartets and has worked to form a quartet comprised of graduate saxophone players across the state of Pennsylvania. Currently, Evan is the Wind Band Graduate assistant, where he works closely with Dr. Andrew Yozviak, Dr. Hannah Morrison, and Dr. Adam Gumble, to ensure productivity and enjoyment in music making for students involved with the university’s wind ensemble, wind symphony, concert band, and both athletic bands.