Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band Presents: Eric Goluszka Performing Alexander Glasunov's "Concerto in Eb Major" for Alto Saxophone

“I’ve Heard That Somewhere Before!” is the title and theme of The Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band’s 11th annual Spring Concert, to be held at the Adlai E. Stevenson High School Performing Arts Center in Lincolnshire, Illinois, on Saturday, April 21st, at 7:00 pm.  The 70-member group, under the musical direction of Founding Conductor Howard Green, will present a collection of musical offerings that you’ve heard in other, sometimes surprising settings.

That evening, we are proud to feature Eric Goluszka, our principal Alto Saxophonist, playing Alexander Glazunov’s Saxophone Concerto in E Flat Major.  The piece, written In 1934, is a wonderful representation of Russian Romanticism, evoking the lyricism of the French and Belgium composers of that era.

Eric Goluszka’s parents were living in Singapore when Eric was born.  After Singapore, Goluszka’s family spenat a few months traveling around Asia before returning to Palatine when Eric was around 18 months old.

Goluszka’s musical career started with piano in 1st grade.  He picked up the alto sax in 4th grade.   His high school years were spent at Fremd High School in Palatine, working with the Band Director Bob Klassy.   Eric remembers Mr. Klassy as a wonderful director.  According to Goluszka, Klassy was very inspirational and motivational, and encouraged his students to achieve.  Mr. Klassy retired when Eric graduated, and now teaches and works with an opera program in Chicago.

After high school, Goluszka attended the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Canada,  earning a  Bachelors Degree in music performance.  After graduation, he stayed in Canada for a few more years teaching and working as a music clinician.  He continued to play in local groups, including a Latin/Salsa Band called Orchesta Energia.   His future wife Joanne attended the University of Alberta, pursuing degrees in Music and Education.   They married in 2004 in Kananaskis, Alberta.   Joanne plays the bassoon, teaches with Bright Horizons in a classroom of two-year-olds, and is a member of the Symphonic Band.

In 2005, the Goluszkas came back to Chicago so Eric could enter the music program at DePaul University.  He earned his Masters of Music in Performance from DePaul in 2008.  

Eric now teaches students across the north and west suburbs.  He has students in District 211, mostly at Fremd High School, but also at Schaumburg, Conant, and Hoffman Estates High Schools.  He also teaches at Notre Dame in Niles and Metea Valley in Naperville.    Other than the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band and the Buffalo Grove Jazz Band, Eric plays with Rockford Symphony and several saxophone quartets.   He has worked in the pits of several musical productions, including “Fairways”, a musical about golf (“That was interesting”, said Goluszka),  the Steel Beam production of “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas”, “Swing” at the Prairie center for the Arts, and a one-night show in Rockford with Martin Short and a six piece band

The Glazunov Concerto has been in Goluszka’s repertoire for many years.  He performed it first as a freshman in high school at a solo and ensemble contest. He has used it as a college audition piece, performed it in halves for Dr. Fred Hemke in two separate master classes, and in a studio class during his undergrad career.  Goluszka says it is “a lot of fun to play.  It’s really lyrical, has a very vocal sort of style, very passionate”.  He is pleased to have the opportunity to play the concerto with a group.  Goluszka  says the experience of performing the Glazunov with the Symphonic Band is “more organic, more exciting, really feels like the piece is intended to be played.”  At the concert, Goluszka will be performing the Concerto with an alternate cadenza, written by Christian Lauba.

Eric has a number of events coming up in his life, both in and out of the field of music.  Later in March, he will perform with the Rockford Symphony in a concert featuring Steve Lippia (vocalist) showcasing show tunes.    He is looking forward to working with the Buffalo Grove Jazz Band in the summer.

Perhaps the biggest event coming up is the birth of Eric and Joanne’s first child – a baby boy.  Joanne is expecting to deliver in May – a month after the concert.  Eric and Joanne will introduce him to music with singing, listening to radio stations, and practicing their instruments in the home.  When asked how Eric would feel if the child ended up playing a brass instrument, Goluszka said he would not be distraught.  “It would lend some variety”, said Eric.  “There are some excellent pieces written for sax and trumpet.”  And, concluded Goluszka, “At least we won’t be competing for gigs.”

Come hear Eric Goluszka play Glazunov’s “Concerto for Saxophone in Eb Major” for Alto Sax, and the rest of the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band’s concert at 7:00 PM, Saturday, April 21, 2012, at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois.