November 6, 2020 (Friday)
Saxophone Day is today. The Saxophone is a classical woodwind instrument. It is an essential instrument in jazz bands, symphonic bands, marching bands and more. It’s only fitting that this great instrument has a day of recognition all to its own.
The Saxophone was invented around 1840. It was created by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian musical instrument maker. The sax is made of brass. The inventor of the saxophone was born on this day in 1814. He invented 8 types of saxophones: Sopranino, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Contrabass, and Subcontrabass. The first Saxophone ever created was the Bass Saxophone. A 9th type of Saxophone, the Soprillo Saxophone, was invented in 2004. It is the smallest Saxophone.
I have precious memories of four saxophone players (Harold Mundine, Jerral Hawes, Mark Gilliam and Glenn Herbst) who formed a quartet and played for our worship services at First Baptist Church, Rockport, Texas. I’m sorry to say I don’t remember the dates of their performances (perhaps the early 1990s), but I do remember what a wonderful blessing their music was to all of us who were present when they played some magnificent hymns during the worship service. What a beautiful sound they created as they blended the tones created by their instruments. I wish I could hear them again.
Harold Mundine became a Christian and a member of First Baptist Church, Rockport as a teen.
Until becoming Music Director at the First Baptist Church of Sinton, Texas, he was actively serving in and leading the music program of the Rockport church. He is a skilled craftsman who has kept music instruments in order for many years. He is an expert in that field. His heart is in the service of Christ through the churches.
Jerral Hawes has served as band director for high schools
in this area of the state, as music director in several churches, and a key member of the talented and popular singing group known as “Song of Glory.” He plays many instruments and can always be found serving the Lord wherever he lives and works. He is an unsung hero of our faith.
Mark Gilliam’s life was cut short by a tragic accident, but in life he loved his saxophone. He also loved the work of law enforcement, formally trained and serving as patrolman and detective in the Rockport Police Department, and later as Sheriff of Aransas County. He loved his church and was active in the quartet, “The Gospel Force,” with his strong bass voice.
Glen Herbst has served as music teacher and band director in Kingsville and Rockport high schools, plus 17 years as director of bands for Calallen Middle Schools, 2002-2019.
When these men stood before the church and played their instruments, all those who heard them were blessed beyond measure. I’m repeating myself, I know, but I do wish I could hear them play again.
Here’s a sax0phone quartet playing “Take My Life, Lead Me Lord” to give an idea of what our musicians sounded like. Video starts at 18 seconds.
Click here for more of “Take My Life, Lead Me Lord” with instrument set to the sound of cellos