Connie Frigo

Now in her second season with the New Century Saxophone Quartet, Connie Frigo, originally from Endicott, NY, brings forward an eclectic array of performing and teaching experience. She is the newly appointed professor of saxophone at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN, and has also served on the faculties of Ithaca College and the University of South Carolina.
While a junior undergraduate performance major, Connie accepted a position with the premiere U.S. Navy Band, Washington D.C. earning her the distinction for three years as 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.

As a Fulbright scholar to the Netherlands, Connie became one of the first American saxophonists to study full-time with world-renowned saxophonist Arno Bornkamp. She continues to promote Dutch music in the U.S. and shares a particularly close association with Dutch composer Jacob ter Veldhuis.

Connie's solo performances have taken her throughout the U.S., as well as to Paris, France. In collaboration with pianist Rebecca Grausuam, a native of Grand Rapids, MI, the Odyssey Duo formed in 2003 with a special interest in contemporary music. Connie also tours with the New Sousa Band, and was the tenor saxophonist in two prize-winning quartets at the prestigious international Fischoff Chamber Music Competition.

Connie’s doctoral thesis focuses upon the commissioning process of new works. This comprehensive guide describes ways to foster strong relationships between composers and performers and describes resources for chamber groups seeking commissioning and performing arts grants.

Her performance degrees are from Ithaca College, the University of Illinois, Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and the University of South Carolina. Her teachers include Steven Mauk, Debra Richtmeyer, Arno Bornkamp, and Clifford Leaman 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