Connie Frigo

As the newest member of the New Century Saxophone Quartet, Connie Frigo, originally from Endicott, NY, brings forward an eclectic array of performing and teaching experience. While a college junior, she accepted a position with the premiere U.S. Navy Band, Washington D.C., earning her the distinction for three years of being the youngest member of the band. During the six years she spent in the band, she also taught at the Levine School of Music, where she conceived of, founded, and directed for three years the Levine School annual summer saxophone camp. In the spring of 2004 she was the Visiting Professor of Saxophone at Ithaca College, and has also served on the faculty at the University of South Carolina.

As a Fulbright scholar to the Netherlands, Connie was one of the first American saxophonists to study full-time with world-renowned saxophonist Arno Bornkamp. She has since maintained collaborations with Dutch composers to promote their music in the U.S., and frequently lectures on the boom box music of Jacob ter Veldhuis.

Equally dedicated to performing both as a soloist and a chamber musician, Connie has presented solo concerts in numerous cities throughout the U.S., as well as in Paris, France. In collaboration with pianist Rebecca Grausuam, a native of Grand Rapids, MI, the Frigo/Grausam Duo formed in 2003 with a special interest in contemporary music. Connie also tours regularly with the New Sousa Band, and, in 1997 and 2000, was the tenor saxophonist in two prize-winning quartets at the prestigious international Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.

An avid supporter of new music, Connie’s doctoral thesis focuses upon the commissioning process of new works. Her research will result in a comprehensive guide that describes the importance of fostering a strong performer/composer relationship, as well as describes how aspiring chamber groups can become eligible for the many commissioning and performing arts grants that exist.

Her performance degrees are from Ithaca College, the University of Illinois, and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. She plans on completing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 2005 from the University of South Carolina, where she served as Dr. Clifford Leaman‘s teaching assistant. Her other teachers include Steven Mauk, Debra Richtmeyer, and Arno Bornkamp, respectively.

In her spare time, wherever she may be, you can likely find Connie in search of character-filled coffee shops and hole-in-the wall ethnic restaurants.

E-mail: connie@newcenturysax.com