Famed Sax Quartet Returns with Southern Miss Alum
Thu, 02/13/2025 - 01:24pm | By: Dr. Mike Lopinto
When the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet takes the stage at Marsh Auditorium on February 27 at 6 p.m., it will be a homecoming for recent University of Southern Mississippi (USM) alumnus Morgan Webster. The talented alum joins the internationally renowned ensemble, who have appeared regularly at major concert halls in Europe, Asia and the United States, carrying on a tradition established in the 1930s by the pioneer of the classical saxophone and founding member of the quartet Sigurd Raschèr. The concert is presented free to the public thanks to the generous Mr. and Mrs. James Simrall, Jr. Arts Endowment.
“My journey with the Raschèr Quartet is tied to a LOT of practice, and the relationships I built over time,” Webster noted. “In 2019, I attended a summer workshop that the quartet gave at Southern Miss where Andreas, the tenor saxophone player, suggested some of us visit Tilburg in the Netherlands, where he teaches.”
Webster did just that, performing with the Raschèr Orchestra in Freiburg and continuing his master’s there from 2022-24. During those two years, he attended workshops, concerts and took lessons with members of the quartet. When their alto player Elliot Riley decided to step down from the Raschèr Quartet, his focus on growing as a musician, sustained efforts and musical excellence positioned him as an ideal candidate.
Webster came to Southern Miss through many different connections. His first private lesson teacher was Southern Miss alumnus Dr. David Wright, a former student of USM Professor Emeritus Dr. Lawrence Gwozdz–a lifelong student of Sigurd Raschèr.
“My experience as his student was instrumental in my decision to attend the university,” Webster continued. “It also helped that I knew Southern Miss had an amazing music program and it was close to home! I was so certain about Southern Miss that it was the only school I applied to, and fortunately, the academic and band scholarships I received further validated my decision.”
He recalls fondly the camaraderie within The Pride of Mississippi noting his most meaningful experiences were with the saxophone studio.
“We formed an incredibly close-knit group, and they are still some of my best friends even today,” said Webster.
His path to success at such a young age is a model for many of his colleagues. He recommended aspiring performers prioritize networking and relationship building, really connect with people, and build genuine friendships. He also added that being reliable and someone people enjoy working with are often as critical to success as musical talent.
“Your time in college is an incredible opportunity to meet amazing musicians and mentors who can become lifelong friends and colleagues,” he noted. “Always perform at your absolute best, recognizing that every performance, lesson or rehearsal could be a potential gateway to future opportunities. You want to aim to always be the first person someone thinks of when they need your instrument.”
Webster is truly excited about traveling the world and pursuing his passion professionally.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to perform, teach and share the beautiful sounds of the saxophone with others around the world,” he said. “Moreover, I'm committed to continuing the legacy of the world's oldest saxophone quartet. I look forward to honoring the teachings of my mentors–Dr. Gwozdz, Dr. Espinoza, Dr. Van Zoelen and Sigurd Raschèr–and passing their wisdom to future generations.”
The Connoisseurs Series is made possible by the annual support of the Mr. and Mrs. James Simrall, Jr. Arts Endowment. The Connoisseurs Series is a premiere event series representing each applied area (Brass, Jazz, Piano, Voice and Woodwinds) with annual guest artist performances. These renowned performers augment the training our students regularly receive by the world-class faculty housed within the School of Music and add to the rich musical offerings presented annually to the Hattiesburg and regional community.