John W. Sampen
Profile
Education - All Degrees from Northwestern University
Bachelor of Music (1971); Master of Music (1972): Doctor of Music (1984)
Teaching Experience:
Distinguished Artist Professor - Bowling Green State University (1977-present)
Co-Director - Frederick L. Hemke Saxophone Institute (2015-2022)
Summer Instructor - Interlochen Arts Camp (1989-1997)
Visiting Professor - Oberlin Conservatory (1988-1989)
Visiting Professor - Baldwin Wallace Conservatory (1986)
Instructor - Wichita State University (1973-1976)
Assistant Director - Evanston Township High School (1972-1973)
Performance
Five Decades with the Saxophone
1972-2022
Invited Soloist - The World Saxophone Congress
Featured Concerts in Croatia (2018); France (2015); Scotland (2012); Thailand (2009);
Minneapolis (2003); Montreal (2000); Spain (1997); Italy (1992); Japan (1988);
Maryland (1985); Germany (1982); Northwestern (1979); England (1976); France (1974)
Invited Soloist - North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conferences
Oklahoma State Postponed (2022); Arizona State (2020); University of Cincinnati (2018);
Texas Tech (2016); University of Illinois (2014); Arizona State (2012); University of Georgia (2010);
University of South Carolina (2008); University of North Carolina (2004); North Texas
State (2002); University of Arizona (2000); Northwestern (1998); West Virginia University (1994);
Arizona State (1981)
Invited Soloist/Presenter at International Conferences
International Thailand Composition Festival (2010); Society of Composers in Atlanta, GA (2008);
International Computer Music Conference in New Orleans (2006); SAI National Convention in
Florida (premiere of Shrude Lacrimosa in 2006); Thailand International Saxophone Conference in
Bangkok (2004); Third Practice Festival in Richmond, VA (2004); 6th Laboratory of Contemporary
Music Festival in Bialystok, Poland (1993)
Soloist and Presenter - Major Tours and Events
International
Poland (2018); Puerto Rico (2016); Sichuan Conservatory in China (2018, 2015, 2010, 2009);
Romania (2014Paris Conservatory (2012 & 1999);
Florence, Italy (2011, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001); Thailand (2010, 2008, 2004); Taiwan
(2010, 2001, 1997); Greece (2019, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004); Amsterdam & Utrecht (2002);
Cyprus (2002); Switzerland (2000); Belgium (1994); Berlin, Germany (1993); Russia and
Soviet Georgia (1989); London, England (Subotnick In Two Worlds in 1988); Switzerland (1987);
Belgium (1978 & 1982)
The Americas
Sampen/Bunce Duo Concert Presentations in all 50 States (1992-2020); Steele Special Artist
at McGill University in Montreal (2019); Lansum International Festival in LA (2018);
American Saxophone Academy at Eastman (2015); Argentina & Uruguay (2013);
La Poison Rouge in NYC (2013); United States Navy Band (Shrude Concerto in 2001);
Toledo Symphony (Milhaud Scaramouche in 2000); Armenia (1999); NYC Bruno Walter Hall (1996);
New Mexico Symphony (Subotnick In Two Worlds in 1988); Riverside Symphony in NYC
(Martino Concerto in 1989); Toledo Symphony (Subotnick In Two Worlds premiere in 1987);
Weill Hall in NYC (Babbitt Images in 1982); Chicago Symphony Orchestral Saxophonist (8
performances in 1971 & 1972)
Masterclasses and Adjudication
Dr. Sampen has presented over 125 master classes and workshops since 1992, including international clinics at the Amsterdam Conservatory (Holland), the Basil Musikhochschule (Switzerland), the Fermo Conservatory (Italy), the Paris Conservatory (France), the Jaroslava Jezka Conservatory (Prague, Czech), the Spendiarian Music School (Armenia), the Institut fur Neue Musik (Berlin, Germany), Ionian University (Corfu, Greece), the Cherubini Conservatory (Florence, Italy), Sichuan Conservatory (Chengdu, China), Shanghai Conservatory (China) and the Chopin Conservatory (Warsaw, Poland).
In America, Sampen has conducted master classes at the Boston Conservatory, the Eastman School, Northwestern University, Oberlin Conservatory, the University of Michigan, Indiana University, Pennsylvania State University, the United States Navy Band Symposium, Interlochen Arts Camp and many other important universities and conservatories.
ADJUDICATION
Chair of the first NASA Composition Competition (2012)
Adjudicator for the NASA Biennial Quartet Competition (2010)
President of the Jury for the 1st Greek Saxophone Competition (2009)
Jury member for Londeix International Saxophone Competition in Thailand (2008)
Adjudicator for the MTNA Michigan Woodwind Competition in Lansing (2005)
Adjudicator for the Wm. Byrd Solo Competition in Flint, MI (2005)
Jury member for Yellow Springs International Chamber Competition (2004)
Jury member for Paris Conservatory Concours (2001)
Jury member for Crane School Contemporary Music Competition (1996)
International Jury Member for Concours Adolphe Sax in Dinant, Belgium) (1994)
National Saxophone Competition in Morgantown, WV (1994)
Chamber Music America Awards (NY,NY) 1994
MTNA Regional Competition (1993)
National Saxophone Competition (l992)
Read and Listen
“An Interview with John Sampen” 2006 publication for The Saxophone Journal
“A Short Lecture On Vibrato” Update Newsletter for North American Saxophone Alliance – Jan/Feb 2006
“MTNA Certification Examination” May 2002
“President’s Messages” NASA Update Newsletters – 1998-2001
“Londeix Dedication Article” in “Jean-Marie Londeix: Master of the Modern Saxophone” by Umble Roncorp, 2000
“Saxophone Concertos of Late 20th Century America" Saxophone Symposium, Winter 1994
“Saxophone Masterworks of Late 20th Century America" Saxophone Symposium, Fall 1993
“New Music Reviews” Saxophone Symposium, 1992-1993
“A Private Lesson with John Sampen” The Saxophone Journal, Sept/Oct 1992
“John Sampen” Feature article by Mary Natvig in The Saxophone Journal, Nov/Dec, 1992
“Saxophone” Band Guide Magazine, Sept/Oct, 1992
RECORDINGS (CD'S)
"The Electric Saxophone II" - AMP Records (2014)
“Mantras” by Narong Prangcharoen – Albany Records (2011)
“Trope” by Marilyn Shrude – Centaur Records (2010)
“Soundings” by Samuel Adler - Naxos Records (2008)
“Mild Violence” by Steve Ricks - Bridge 9256 (2008)
“Sky Scrapings” by Donald Freund - AUR 3126 (2005)
“Equipoise” – Nova CDs (2005)
“Shadows and Dawning” – Albany Records (2002)
“Visions in Metaphor” – Albany Records (2001)
“Distant Visions” – Equilibrium records ((2001)
“Café Music” – Innova Records (2001)
“First Chairs” – Albany Records (1998)
“The Electric Saxophone” – Capstone Records (1997)
“The Contemporary Saxophone – Neuma Records (1992)
“New Music Virtuosi” – Capstone Records (1988)
Honors and Awards
Honorary Lifetime Member of North American Saxophone Alliance (2012)
Honorary Advisor for the Chengdu China Saxophone Association (2009)
Distinguished Member of SAI (2007)
Elected member of six-person Comite International de Saxophone (2000-2003)
Past President of the North American Saxophone Alliance (1998-2001)
BGSU Distinguished Artist Professor (1997)
Finalist for the BGSU Olscamp Award (1993)
Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Artist Award (1988)
Phi Mu Alpha Faculty Excellence Award (1988)
BGSU Faculty Excellence Award (1979)