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27th Annual Saxophones on Saturday Masterclass and Concert
Florence Harkness Memorial Chapel
11200 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, OHIO 44106, United States
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Program
Join us for an afternoon of exceptional artistry led by Greg Banaszak, featuring Dr. Chika Inoue (faculty at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and member of the LA Philharmonic), along with CWRU students and pianist Anne Wilson.
This masterclass and concert will include works by Maurice, J.S. Bach, and Demersseman.
About the Artist
Chika Inoue
LA Philharmonic, Concert Saxophonist, Master Class Clinician
Concert saxophonist Chika Inoue has been recognized for her “beautiful tone, acute sensitivity, and virtuosic technique” (Los Angeles Times). A versatile performer, she appears regularly with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has collaborated with ensembles such as the Pacific Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic, Santa Monica Symphony, Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra, Culver City Chamber Orchestra, California Opera, and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Her artistry has been praised by industry leaders, including Al Schmitt, a 20-time GRAMMY-winning recording engineer, who lauded her tone as “the most delicate” he had encountered in his career, and James Conlon, Music Director of LA Opera, who commended her “beautiful sound.”
Dr. Inoue has received numerous accolades in international competitions and maintains an active performance schedule across North America, Europe, and Asia. She has appeared as a soloist at prestigious festivals, including the Granada Music Festival (Spain), Faenza International Saxophone Festival (Italy), Astoria Music Festival (USA), Yamaha Saxophone Festival (Japan), and the International China Clarinet and Saxophone Music Festival (China).
In addition to her solo career, Dr. Inoue is engaged in innovative chamber music collaborations. She co-founded Chika & Scott, a classical saxophone and guitar duo with virtuoso guitarist Scott Morris, and their debut album Unfettered (2020) was recorded at the legendary Capitol Records “Studio A” under the production of Niko Bolas and Al Schmitt. She was also featured on Louis Andriessen’s album The Only One (2021), which received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Classical Composition. In 2022, she released a recording of Nikolai Kapustin’s Saxophone Concerto, Op. 50, in commemoration of the composer’s passing, earning critical acclaim.
Dr. Inoue maintains strong ties to Japan, performing frequently in duo recitals with pianist Mikiko Yamaguchi. Their work has been supported by grants from the Osaka Cultural Art Grant, Kakehashi-Roland Foundation, and Okayama Cultural Artists Creation Foundation. In 2023, she launched a rare saxophone and bandoneon duo with Ville Hiltula (Finland), touring Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kobe with sponsorship from the Embassy of Argentina.
A native of Osaka, Japan, Dr. Inoue spent her formative years in Frankfurt, Germany, and San Diego, California. She earned her B.A. in Saxophone Performance and Music Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), an M.A. from California State University, Fresno, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California (USC). A sought-after pedagogue, she lectures internationally and serves on the faculty at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Dr. Inoue is a Conn Selmer Performing Artist and is endorsed by Henri Selmer Paris saxophones, Vandoren, Key Leaves, and lefreQue. Committed to expanding the reach of classical saxophone music, she actively promotes its diverse capabilities across global audiences. She is based in Los Angeles, California, and Kyoto, Japan. (read full bio)
Affiliations
Venue
Florence Harkness Memorial Chapel (est. 1902) is known for its Tiffany stained-glass windows, soaring arches, and exquisite woodwork. The neo-Gothic structure, located on Mather Quad at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH), commemorates the brief life of Florence Harkness Severance. The chapel offers a warm, intimate, and acoustically resonant space for Department of Music performances, lectures, and special events.
The CWRU Music Concert Series offers free concerts and student recitals in the stunning Harkness Chapel. These performances highlight the exceptional talents of CWRU students and faculty, providing the broader community with opportunities to enjoy high-quality live music in an intimate and historic setting.
Safety Protocols: University Health and Counseling Services is committed to protecting the health and well-being of our campus community. Find the latest guidelines and COVID-19 resources on the UH+CS Respiratory Viruses page.
Where
Florence Harkness Memorial Chapel
11200 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, OHIO 44106, United States