J. Michael Holmes

Visiting Guest Lecturer in Saxophone
(fall semester)

B.M.E., Bowling Green State University; M.M. (saxophone performance), University of Illinois; D.M.A. (ABD, saxophone performance), University of Illinois. Student of Debra Richtmeyer and John Sampen; additional studies with Jean-Marie Londeix, Claude Delangle, Griffin Campbell, Daniel Kientzy, and Eugene Rousseau.

J. Michael Holmes is a talented solo and chamber musician whose active playing career has seen him performing at numerous venues in the United States and also Europe and Taiwan. As well, he is an artistic advisor for Vandoren in the United States (DANSR).

Michael is a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance and has performed in many of the national and regional conferences. He is an active soloist of contemporary music and has commissioned and premiered numerous works for the saxophone including a composition from Bowling Green State University’s Distinguished Artist Professor, Marilyn Shrude. His performances have received great accolades, and he has recently recorded for the SEAMUS Record Label. An interview with Michael was published in the January/February 2008 Saxophone Journal. He has performed as principal saxophonist with numerous ensembles such as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia da Camera, Toledo Repertoire Theatre, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, and is a member of the sub-list for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Michael was the woodwind finalist for the 2006 Krannert Debut Artist Competition and the winner of the 2006 University of Illinois Concerto Competition.

Michael has been a guest clinician at Northwestern University, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, University of Florida, The University of Iowa, Drake University, Simpson College, Bowling Green State University, University of North Florida, to name but a few. Mr. Holmes is the current director of the Bowling Green State University saxophone camp and co-headmaster for the Illinois Summer Youth Music saxophone camp held at the University of Illinois. Michael is pleased to be a Selmer Artist/Clinician and performs exclusively on Selmer Paris saxophones, as well as a Vandoren Artist and plays exclusively using Vandoren reeds, ligatures, and mouthpieces.