Meadowlark Saxophone Quartet
The Meadowlark Quartet was formed in August 2016 by Tyler Burgess (Wichita, Kansas; (BMusEd’19 & BMus(Perf.)’19), Robert Hess (Aurora, Ontario; MMus’18), Bobby Kitchen (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; MMus’18), and joined by Christopher Agnew (Spring Hill, Kansas; MMus’19) last August.
Studying with Geoffrey Deibel at Wichita State University has brought these saxophonists together to perform standard literature while actively seeking out new possibilities for a saxophone quartet. While only together for a short period of time, this group has received 1st place in the Wolff-Bing Chamber Music competition twice (2017, 2018), placed as Alternate in the 2018 MTNA state competition, completed recording projects, participated in masterclasses, premiered new works for saxophone quartet and commissioned a piece for saxophone quartet and marimba that was premiered in Oklahoma at the North American Saxophone Alliance Region IV in 2017.
Apart from the quartet, all the members have been active in mixed chamber ensembles, featured at events, concerts, and placed in solo competitions. At Wichita State, Robert and Bobby currently hold the Graduate Saxophone Teaching Assistantship and the Jazz Graduate Assistantship respectively. Bobby will begin teaching in the fall at McAlester High School in Oklahoma. Robert will be active across southern Ontario teaching and performing with various new music projects.
Although a lot of time is devoted to the ensemble, everyone is an active private teacher in the Wichita area balancing their careers as educators and performers. As part of their regular schedule, the quartet organizes and gives specialized chamber music performances and workshops to both public and private events.