The D’Angelo Department of Music at Mercyhurst University continued its Faculty Recital Series on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall. As part of the university’s Centennial celebration, the program highlighted three recent saxophone alumni who joined Associate Professor Dr. Scott Meier for a quartet performance, with each soloist also presenting a featured work accompanied by Dr. Sarah Kahl.
Alumni performers
Caden Gilson earned his B.A. in Music from Mercyhurst in 2018, focusing on classical saxophone technique, chamber music and ensemble performance. Under Dr. Meier’s guidance he performed extensively on baritone saxophone in the university’s wind ensemble, jazz ensemble and saxophone quartet, gaining a solid foundation in both large‑ensemble and chamber settings. Gilson now works as a freelance saxophonist throughout the region, holds a professional position with PepsiCo, and is pursuing an MBA through Penn State University.
Rebekah Peyton graduated in 2022 with a B.M. in Music Therapy and an alto saxophone concentration. While at Mercyhurst Peyton performed in the wind ensemble, saxophone quartet, clarinet choir and the university’s marching band, even serving as drum major for the 2020 season. After completing a music‑therapy internship at Harborcreek Youth Services, Peyton earned board‑certified music therapist credentials and now provides music‑based services at Sara A. Reed Children’s Center. Peyton also teaches woodwinds at Northwestern High School, where she has built a robust marching‑arts program.
Dennis Whalen earned a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Music Performance and Physics in 2022. As a student he participated in wind, jazz, concert and chamber choirs, as well as the marching band and cross‑country team. After graduation he began a career as a chemical engineer with Parker Lord and remains active in the Erie Philharmonic Chorus. His hobbies include ice hockey, pickleball, golf and family time.
Program highlights
The quartet’s repertoire included Heiner Wiberny’s “Ulla In Africa,” Astor Piazzolla’s “Adios Nonino,” Nikolai Rimsky‑Korsakov’s “Dance of the Buffoons,” and a new sonata composed by senior composition major Tristan Yeagle. Solo selections featured William Grant Still’s “Romance,” Darius Milhaud’s “Scaramouche,” Michel Colombier’s “Emmanuel,” and unaccompanied dance movements from J.S. Bach’s Cello Suite No. 4 in E‑flat major.
Faculty and accompanist
Dr. Scott Meier, associate professor of music education, leads the D’Angelo Department’s wind and jazz ensembles and teaches applied saxophone, music‑education and technology courses. He also coordinates the annual Tri‑State Music Festival and serves on the board of JazzErie. Dr. Sarah Kahl, the recital’s accompanist, is a seasoned pianist who teaches at Mercyhurst, directs piano instruction for the Erie Junior Philharmonic Chorus and Youth Chorale, and coordinates music at Church of the Cross in Fairview, PA.
Admission to the recital was free and open to the public, offering Erie residents a chance to celebrate local talent and the university’s musical heritage.
Original reporting: Mercyhurst University News (Erie) – stopgap — read the source article.
