Joseph Wytko

Saxophonist Joseph Wytko has been described by the San Francisco Chronicle as a performer with "astounding musicianship — virtuoso playing — a winner," while the New York Times credits him with "vivid projection — effortless precision — charm and savoir—faire." The Arizona Republic states simply, "flawless."

A past recipient of the prestigious Solo Recitalist Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, Joseph Wytko has performed solo recitals in Carnegie Recital Hall and San Francisco's Herbst Theater, and has appeared as soloist with such orchestras as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, the World Saxophone Congress Orchestra (Minneapolis), and orchestras in Europe and Mexico. He serves as orchestral saxophonist with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed as guest orchestral saxophonist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Grant Park Orchestra of Chicago, and the Chicago Civic Orchestra. Solo performances and master classes have been presented in Poland, France, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, Guam, and in Los Angeles and New York, and throughout the United States. As a result of a Senior Scholar Grant from the International Research and Exchanges Board in Washington, D. C., Dr. Wytko presented solo concerts, guest artist concerto performances, and master classes/seminars in Macedonia in 1994.

His recent/current concert/teaching schedule includes appearances in Paris, Bourges (France), Morelia (Mexico), Brussels, Mons (Belgium), and in Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, and throughout Poland and England. He has performed and presented master classes as featured artist at the Congreso Internacional de Clarinete y Saxophon in Mexico, and as resident performer during the Ernest Bloch Composers' Symposium in Newport, Oregon. Dr. Wytko has served as Guest Professor during the "2006 Muzikamp" organized by the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel in Belgium, and most recently at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris and L'Ecole Nationale de Musique et de Danse de Bourges (France). His 2007-08 schedule of Guest Professor Residencies includes, for example, those at the Conservatorio de las Rosas in Morelia (Mexico), the University of Minnesota, Willamette University, and at various other institutions in the U.S. and Poland.

Joseph Wytko, whose disc recordings have been featured on United Airlines and America West Airlines "in flight audio entertainment," has recorded on the Brewster, Orion, ACA Digital, and TimeGrabber Digital record labels. His disc recording of Karel Husa's Elegie et Rondeau was credited by the composer as "perfectly musical, first—class playing — a magnificent treat." A new CD recording with pianist Walter Cosand, featuring the music of such composers as William Albright, Jacques Ibert, and Alfred Desenclos, is currently in production.

Saxophonist Wytko, who is listed in "Who's Who in America," holds degrees from Northwestern University (DM, MM) and West Virginia University (BME), and is Professor of Music Emeritus at Arizona State University and an Artist—Clinician with the Selmer Company. In addition to his solo performing and teaching, he performs frequently with the Joseph Wytko Saxophone Quartet, which has been featured on National Public Radio's Performance Today. He also performed with the quartet in the historic East Room of the White House in 1993, per invitation from the Office of the President of the United States.