FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 29, 2020

FOUR SAXOPHONES ARE BETTER THAN ONE – QUARTET READY TO IMPRESS ATLANTIC CANADA

HALIFAX, NS – The Proteus Saxophone Quartet is a high-energy modular ensemble dedicated to exploring the capabilities of the saxophone. Holly DeCaigny, Mark Michalak, Michael Morimoto, and Tommy Davis combine their respective talents and expertise to create performances with “incredible precision and a great deal of emotion” (Le Voyageur). Formed in Paris, Proteus has performed throughout North America and France, programming eclectic concerts that aim to entertain and educate audiences. The quartet is set to take on their upcoming tour throughout Atlantic Canada with Debut Atlantic. The tour, which features works by two Canadian composers, will take place from February 16 to February 29, and will include eight performances in Nova Scotia, and one in Prince Edward Island.

In addition to concert engagements, Proteus Quartet will be working with young students and performing at schools throughout the region. They will also participate in a video conferencing session hosted by Newfoundland’s Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI), which reaches hundreds of students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and will be available for public viewing around the world at a date to be announced soon.

Debut Atlantic wishes to recognize the partners and sponsors that come together to bring these incredible artists to communities and venues of all sizes across our region. Touring these artists would not be possible without the generous support of sustaining partners, including Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, and the Province of New Brunswick. Debut would also like to thank its educational partner, the Nova Scotia Department of Education; and its season partners, including the Halifax Regional Municipality, The Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation, Support4Culture, the Craig Foundation, Pink Larkin, Halcraft Printers, Strategic Arts Management, and InnVest Hotels (Comfort Inn).

Please see the enclosed list of tour dates and artist biography and come share in a unique performance, sure to entertain and educate.

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As one of Canada’s most prestigious classical music organizations, Debut Atlantic is committed to developing young artists and establishing new initiatives that enhance the cultural life of Atlantic Canada. Since 1979, it has treated Atlantic audiences to Canada’s most promising young musicians. Celebrating 40 years, Debut Atlantic has featured over 400 artists, gracing the stages of venues from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

Full details on Debut Atlantic’s concert seasons and educational programs can be found at www.debutatlantic.ca.

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For further information, please contact:

Erin Sparks – Executive Director

Debut Atlantic

902-429-6812

erin@debutatlantic.ca

 

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Elizabeth Upson Perez – Program Officer

Debut Atlantic

902-429-6812

elizabeth@debutatlantic.ca

 

 

TOUR SCHEDULE—PROTEUS SAXOPHONE QUARTET

Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

2:00pm, February 16, 2020

King’s Theatre

209 St. George St.

902-532-7704

kingstheatre.ca

 

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

7:30pm, February 21, 2020

Dartmouth Community Concert Association

Woodlawn United Church

54 Woodlawn Rd.

dartmouthcommunityconcert.ca

 

Wolfville, Nova Scotia

7:30pm, February 22, 2020

Acadia Performing Arts Series

Festival Theatre

385 Main St.

1-800-542-TICK (8425)

pas.acadiau.ca

 

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

3:00pm, February 23, 2020

Musique Royale

St. John’s Anglican Church

64 Townsend St.

musiqueroyale.com

 

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

7:00pm, February 24, 2020

Hear! Here! Society

Beacon United Church

25 Beacon St.

902-742-8895

 

Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia

7:30pm, February 26, 2020

Grace Jollymore Joyce Arts Centre

31 Creamery Rd.

902-657-3500

gracejollymore.com/events

 

Pictou, Nova Scotia

7:30pm, February 27, 2020

deCoste Performing Arts Centre

99 Water St.

1-800-353-5338

decostecentre.ca

 

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

7:30pm, February 28, 2020

Confederation Centre of the Arts

Memorial Hall, Confederation Centre

145 Richmond St.

1-800-565-0278

confederationcentre.com

 

Antigonish, Nova Scotia

7:30pm, February 29, 2020

Antigonish Performing Arts Series

Immaculata Hall, St.F.X. University

2360 Notre Dame Ave.

902-867-3909

people.stfx.ca/msteinit/schedule.htm

 

 

BIOGRAPHY—PROTEUS SAXOPHONE QUARTET

 

Born from a shared love for chamber music, the Proteus Quartet formed in 2011 in Paris while the members were studying in French Conservatories. Living across Canada, Proteus unites throughout the year for intensive projects, which have taken them across Western Canada, the USA, and France.

 

Along with performing for festivals and numerous concert organizations, Proteus has hosted multiple independently arranged performances in France and across Canada. They strive to perform music from many styles, which feature the saxophone and its diverse personas. These styles include works from the classical saxophone canon, popular tunes, and modern interpretations of non-idiomatic works for the saxophone. By programming eclectic concerts, they aim to entertain and to educate the public about the history of the saxophone and the saxophone quartet repertoire.

 

Proteus Quartet strives to collaborate with both composers and performers in order to increase the reach and range of the saxophone quartet. Proteus has been fortunate to work closely with Canadian and international composers through workshops, commissions, and music festivals, including composers Robert Lemay, and Justin Boechler. The quartet has also worked with jazz saxophonist Mark DeJong, performing crossover works by Philippe Geiss, as well as with French composer/improviser Francois Rosse on his work Mod’Son7.