David Pope
David Pope is Professor of Saxophone at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia (appointed 2000). He is an accomplished saxophonist, composer, and author with an international reputation for over one hundred published articles in Saxophone Journal and Saxophone Today. As a soloist, he has performed throughout the United States, in Europe and in Asia. As a classical and a jazz saxophonist, he has performed at the New England Saxophone Symposium, the International Society for Improvised Music (Switzerland), conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance, and at the World Saxophone Congress (Scotland). He recently served on the jury of the prestigious $100,000 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition.
Widely recognized for his unique mastery of multiphonics, he has publications with Hal Leonard and Dorn Pub. He can be heard on Open Loop Records, Albany Records, Dazzle Recordings, and with Barry Long's Freedom in the Air.
His students are incredibly successful, teaching and performing throughout the world, from New Hampshire to California, and in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Japan. In addition to 18 years on the faculty at James Madison University, he has given masterclasses across the US and abroad. He is a twice-invited member of the faculty of the Asia Pacific Saxophone Academy, Bangkok, Thailand. In 2012, he was named Distinguished Teacher of the College of Visual & Performing Arts at JMU.
GEAR
“I have had the pleasure of performing with my Virtuoso alto for many years. I have used it in a wide variety of settings, from lead alto in big bands to classical soloist in concerto performances. It has proven to be a spectacular instrument. The sound is incredibly flexible, the pitch is terrific, and the mechanics are superb. In terms of durability, the instrument has been played heavily for three years and it looks and feels brand new. The keys have remained solid and very quiet. I can't believe that I am saying this, but the Virtuoso is superior to my precious vintage horn. The sound is warmer and the keywork is more comfortable in my hands. My valuable vintage horn is now my backup instrument, as I prefer my Virtuoso in every way, for every musical setting. Congratulations to RS Berkeley for creating a truly special instrument.”