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THE MOANIN' FROGS

Dazzling and delighting audiences across the world, The Moanin' Frogs are described by concert goers as "The Canadian Brass of Saxophone," featuring six saxophones from sopranino to bass in an amphibious blend of jazz, classical, pop, a cappella singing, and comedy. From the blazing virtuosity of their classical training to the madcap stage antics of their vaudeville roots, listeners will experience a new and exciting take on chamber music.

 2018 First Prize Laureates of the international M-Prize Competition, their musical selections, from J.S. Bach, to Scott Joplin, to Glenn Miller, to Freddie Mercury, ensure there is something for everyone. 

“The Moanin’ Frogs are completely unique — I’ve never seen or heard anything even remotely like these guys. So much fun to watch and listen to, so musical…I was completely blown away.”  Dave Koz, nine-time GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist

Videos

Quotes

“The best concert I ever attended...People were cheering – that rarely happens.” Trinity Concert Series Board Member

“We LOVED The Moanin' Frogs! Their musicianship, audience interaction, choreography, theatrics and dynamics were over the top excellent! I cannot say enough. We had audience members saying this was the best concert they ever attended in the past 10 years, not just concerts here in our small town but ANY concerts, major rock'n'roll shows at big venues, etc., etc., they considered The Moanin' Frogs the Best! I especially appreciated the breadth of musical genres, following a historic perspective; and how they could make saxophones sound like an entire orchestra, with brass and strings, woodwinds and percussion!”  Dana Chavez, New Mexico Tech PAC

 

"In ALL of my time at UNR, I have never seen such a spectacular and highly talented group of musical talents - and the audience was delighted by the quality of the music and entertainment features."  Advisory committee, Performing Arts Series, University of Nevada Reno

"The Moanin’ Frogs have a contagious passion for all things saxophone. The enthusiasm and dedication that was reflected through their outreach events, left audience members of all ages inspired....The Moanin’ Frogs kept audience members captivated as they traversed decades through the evening’s repertoire. I received emails and feedback from season ticketholders for twenty years plus who shared that this was a truly exceptional evening. They are exceptional musicians and educators who are committed to having a positive impact in the communities that they visit."  Shoshana Zeldner, Performing Arts Series, University of Nevada Ren

 

"The Moanin Frogs is the perfect blend of expertise, charm and entertainment...their skill and programming keep smiling audiences on the edge of their seats..."  Timothy McAllister International Saxophone Soloist

 

“Having the Moanin’ Frogs at Conn-Selmer Institute 2015 gave our attendees an unforgettable experience. Their unique arrangements and personal connection to the audience created a great energy to kick off the week. We look forward to having them back in the future!”  Michael Kamphuis, Managing Director of Educational Services, Conn-Selmer, Inc.

 

“You guys were absolutely awesome, and people are still talking about your performance and how much they loved it! You are all wonderful performers and, more importantly, great showman with great personalities... so friendly and able to make the audience comfortable so they can fully enjoy your music. I can't thank you enough for your hard work.”  Nancy Furdock, Summer Nights Concert Series, of Hancock, New York

“It’s incredibly refreshing to see such an extraordinarily talented group of musicians approach their programming with an obvious goal of, at once, dazzling and delighting audiences of all varieties.” Kristen McKeon, D’Addario Woodwinds, New Thread Quartet

 

“Thank You, the Moanin’ Frogs for everything you have done for our school. We loved having you and can’t wait to work with you again soon!”  Caroline Fitzgerald, Director of Bands, Scarlett Middle School

"What a sensational saxophone sextet... They took us on a journey through time, discussing the fascinating properties of saxophones, their musical history..., and the different musical styles the saxophone can play. They played a variety of songs in different genres... Our patrons of all ages were deeply engaged in both the lecture sections and the musical portions. You believe you are hearing a full wind orchestra, truly it was an incredible sound. What a wonderful program!  Jessica Fanaselle, Northwest Reno Library staff

Photos

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Sample Program

Voyage

 

Launched in 1977, the Voyager spacecraft included “Golden Records” as a sort of time capsule containing various images, sounds, and music from different cultures and eras. These records are intended to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth in the scenario that the spacecraft are intercepted by any spacefarers in the distant future.  This concert takes the listener on a voyage through time and across the world, performing some of the music on the Golden Record, as well as other pieces that The Moanin’ Frogs believe are worthy of sending in to space on a new Golden Record!

 

Wedding Dance from Hasseneh - Jacques Press. Arr. José Olivier Riojas

Seventh Heaven Rag - Stephen J. Rush. Arr. Jonathan Hulting-Cohen

Maple Leaf Rag - Scott Joplin. Arr. Jeff Siegfried

Graceful Ghost Rag - William Bolcom. Arr. Jeff Siegfried

In The Mood - Joe Garland. Arr. Lucas Hopkins

Sleepwalker - Raymond Scott. Arr. Danny Hawthorne-Foss

Melancholy Blues - Marty Bloom. Arr. Keenan McKenzie

El Cascabel - Lorenzo Barcelata. Arr. Jose Oliver Riojas 

Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry. Arr. Gabriel Piqué

 

Intermission

 

Also sprach Zarathustra - Richard Strauss. Arr. Lucas Hopkins

Slava! Leonard Bernstein.  Arr. José Olivier Riojas

Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor. J.S. Bach. Arr. Zach Stern

Malaguena Ernesto Lecuona. Arr. Zach Stern

Danny Boy - traditional. Arr. Jonathan Hostottle

Queen of the Night. W.A. Mozart. Arr. Jonathan Hulting-Cohen

Bohemian Rhapsody Freddie Mercury. Arr. Sean Hurlburt

My Heart Will Go On - James Horner. Arr. Edward Goodman

Bios

Bending genres and uplifting spirits, The Moanin’ Frogs offer an electrifying approach to chamber music. Conservatory trained and entertainment minded, their dynamic and technically precise performances of classical, ragtime, jazz, and pop delight fans across the world.

 

Featuring all six saxophones from soprano to bass, The Moanin’ Frogs are unique on today’s chamber music landscape. First prize winners of the 2018 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition, their passion, quality, variety, instrumentation, and focus on the audience experience set them apart. Comfortable in a wide array of venues, The Moanin’ Frogs deliver artist-level performances to small towns and major performance halls alike, performing for concert series, as concerto soloists, and for educational programs throughout the US and abroad. The Moanin’ Frogs have appeared at The Kennedy Center, Kelowna Community Concerts, Detroit Public Television, American Band College, Texas and Oklahoma Bandmasters Associations, Conn-Selmer Institute, World Saxophone Congress, Strasbourg, France, and as concerto soloists with the United States Air Force Band of the West. Their debut recording is available from Teal Creek Music.

 

Online and in person, The Moanin’ Frogs inspire future generations through popular music videos, and interactive clinics and masterclasses for students and educators. The Moanin’ Frogs are performing and endorsing artists for D’Addario Woodwinds, the Conn-Selmer Division of Education, and Key Leaves.

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Edward Goodman

soprano saxophone

Edward Goodman is the Associate Professor of Saxophone at The University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music. He has received numerous awards of regional and national acclaim, including first prize of the North American Saxophone Alliance Solo Competition, and Michigan State University’s and University of Michigan’s Concerto Competitions. His recent debut album with pianist Liz Ames, Liminal, received reviews saying it is “a diabolically brilliant, wide-ranging program superbly performed by two very special performers'' (Fanfare Magazine) whose interpretations are “to become standard due to their explorations of color and expression. (The Saxophonist).”

 

Edward has performed in the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Music Academy of the West Orchestra, New World Symphony, and in notable ensembles such as PRISM and the Donald Sinta Quartet. A sought after clinician, Edward has been invited as a guest artist across the country, and has served on the summer faculty of Interlochen Center of the Arts. Edward studied with Joseph Lulloff, Diego Rivera, Donald Sinta, Andrew Bishop, and Timothy McAllister. He is a Conn-Selmer and D’Addario Woodwinds Artist. 

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Gabriel Piqué

alto saxophone

Gabriel Piqué is an assistant professor of saxophone and jazz studies at BW's Conservatory of Music. 

As a soloist and active performer, Piqué has presented concerts all over the world, including: Las Vegas, Croatia, Moscow, Strasbourg, Beijing, Shanghai and Thailand. 

In 2020, he was the featured concerto soloist at the North American Saxophone Alliance conference in Tempe, AZ and was named first prize winner of the North American Saxophone Alliance Solo Competition in 2016. He performs regularly with The Cleveland Orchestra.  

Piqué has studied jazz saxophone with Dave D’Angelo of the Buddy Rich Orchestra and Ron Bridgewater of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. His primary classical teachers have included Debra Richtmeyer, Chien-Kwan Lin and Connie Frigo.

Among his numerous academic and merit-based awards, Piqué has been named a Presser Scholar, is a recipient of Eastman’s prestigious performer’s certificate, and is a Future of Music Faculty Fellow.   

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Jeff Siegfried

tenor saxophone

Jeff Siegfried combines a “rich, vibrant tone” (South Florida Classical Review) with “beautiful and delicate playing” (Michael Tilson Thomas) to deliver “showstopper performances” (Peninsula Reviews). Siegfried serves as Assistant Professor of Saxophone at West Virginia University. He is a member of The Moanin’ Frogs and the Estrella Consort and has collaborated with casalQuartet and the Fonema Consort.

Siegfried received first prize at the Luminarts Competition and the Frances Walton Competition and was runner up in the Carmel Music Society Competition and the NASA Quartet Competition. He is the recipient of the 2016 Hans Schaueble Award.  

Siegfried has appeared as a soloist with the University of Portland Wind Ensemble, the Oregon State University Wind Ensemble, the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” and the Northwestern University Contemporary Music Ensemble. He has also appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, and the Spoleto Festival, USA.

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Jonathan Hulting-Cohen

tenor saxophone

Saxophonist Jonathan Hulting-Cohen’s performances have been considered “adroit” (ModernJazz.gr), “impressive,” (Schenectady Daily Gazette), and “fun to watch” (Oregon Arts Watch). Jonathan debuted as concerto soloist with the Philadelphia Classical Symphony in 2011. Since then, Jonathan has performed concerti with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra and Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, chamber music at Chamber Music Northwest and Carnegie Hall, and as recitalist at the Virtuosi Concert Series in Winnipeg. Hulting-Cohen is a member of New Thread Quartet, The Moanin’ Frogs saxophone sextet, Bandwidth chamber winds, and saxophone and harp duo Admiral Launch. Releases can be heard on the innova, Teal Creek, MSR, and Albany labels.

 

Jonathan’s interdisciplinary collaborations include dance, film and performance art. Jonathan is Associate Professor of Saxophone at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and serves as co-chair of the North American Saxophone Alliance’s Committee on Gender Equity. Jonathan endorses Conn-Selmer, D’Addario Woodwinds, and Silverstein products.

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Jeffrey Leung

baritone saxophone

Hailed as “a powerhouse in classical saxophone” (University of Toronto), JEFFREY LEUNG is the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Queen’s University, the Associate Director of the International Saxophone Academy, and performs with the Maryland Chamber Winds and Moanin’ Frogs saxophone sextet.

As an active performer and collaborator, Jeffrey has presented recitals and concerts throughout North America, including appearances with the New World Symphony Orchestra and Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings. His collaborations with composers has resulted in the premieres and commissions of over thirty new works - several of which can be found through people|places|records (PPR), Tonsehen, and Sly Pup Productions. 

Jeffrey teaches saxophone, chamber music, music theory, and improvisation, and maintains an active schedule as a visiting guest artist at North American schools and universities, speaker at international conferences and workshops, and is on faculty at the Interprovincial Music Camp.

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Lucas Hopkins

bass saxophone

Lucas Hopkins is quickly becoming known as a prominent soloist, chamber musician and educator comfortable in a variety of styles including classical, contemporary, jazz, and pop. Lucas currently teaches saxophone at Austin Peay State University, Tennessee State University, and also serves as the interim lecturer of saxophone at the University of Colorado for the 2022-2023 school year.

As a performer, Lucas has presented guest recitals and masterclasses at various universities, appeared as a concerto soloist with the Oakland Symphony, and has performed with various orchestras including the New World Symphony and the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra. Additionally, as the bass saxophonist of The Moanin’ Frogs Saxophone Sextet, Lucas frequently performs across the country for various concert series and engages in educational outreach with students of all ages.

Lucas holds a DMA from the University of Colorado and additional graduate degrees from the University of Michigan and Northwestern University. His primary teachers include Timothy McAllister, Eugene Rousseau, Tom Myer, and Andrew Bishop. Lucas is an endorsing artist for Conn-Selmer and D’Addario Woodwinds.

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