Joel Perkosky - Saxophonist
Teen Jazz Hosting
By Shannon Kennedy
Name: Joel Perkosky
Instrument: Saxophone
Years of Experience: 8 years
Contact: jgperkosky@gmail.com
School: Mountain View High School
Age: 18
Saxophone Setups: Alto Saxophone: Yamah 23 owned by my school, Meyer 5M, Vandoren ZZ 3's, and for classical: Selmer S80 C*, Rovner Dark, and Vandoren 3 Tenor Saxophone: Selmer LaVoix, Otto Link STM NY 5* (modified) or Dukoff D6, Selmer Soloist D (classical), Rovner Dark for Soloist, Rovner MKIII for Dukoff, Vandoren 2's (Soloist), RJS 3M's (Otto Link) and Java 3's (Dukoff), Berg Larsen 105/2M with Vandoren Java 2 Baritone Saxophone: Yamaha 52 (owned by the school district), Dukoff D6, Yamaha 5C (legit)
Gemeinhardt GFL312 student flute
Doubles: Clarinet and flute
Why he began playing music:
Even though I have been playing the saxophone for seven years, it was
only within the past three years that I have started to get serious about music.
Music is my niché; it is something I can do well and am proud of the results. I
find music to be a very expressive art form, especially jazz but classical has
it's place as well. The big bonus for me is actually teaching the younger
generation of up and coming students. For my graduation project, I taught a
class of alto saxophones. The curriculum; jazz technique and improvisation. Sure
there were frustrating moments, but I loved every minute of it. In my eyes, for
me to give back to the generations after me so that they too can share the love
of music, is my duty knowing that I have been gifted in this way.
What he is doing with music now:
I am slowly working towards collegiate level saxophone. I am preparing in
bits and piece, my college audition material. I am also working on jazz tenor. I had made lead tenor chair in the Pennsylvania District 9 jazz
band this year, and I loved the experience. I also work on alto saxophone. Alto
was actually my primary saxophone, which I have a combined experience of seven
years on, but being that I am needed on tenor in my school ensembles (and not
needed on alto), I have been focused on tenor. I have been playing clarinet for
two years and need to purchase one before I can excell further. I also just
bought a flute, having learned the basics last year, and am willing to continue
to learn the instrument. I have been accepted into the school of music at Millersville University, one of my three schools of choice to pursue my music education degree.
His influences:
My band director, Charles Wilson. Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, John
Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Kenny G (only to an
extent), Ryan Saranich, Jaleel Shaw, and many others.
Teachers: John Olcese - saxophone and Charles Wilson - flute/clarinet
What he plans on doing with music in the future:
I intend on becoming the band director of a high school and to share my
love of music with my students. I feel it is my duty to go out into the world
and procreate the love I feel for music and to foster it in the younger
generations.
