A Conductor’s and Performer’s Guide to Steven Bryant’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone - Chester Jenkins

11 ‘You’re serious, aren’t you Howard?’ I said, ‘Yes sir, I am.’” 12 After making sure Gourwitz understood that he would have to make it on his audition, and be able to keep up with the college students, Sedatole agreed to let him audition. Howard made the band, and a friendship was born out of that opportunity. 13 Gourwitz continued to follow Sedatole’s career as he moved back down to Texas, and then back north again, this time to Michigan State University. 14 After Sedatole arrived at Michigan State, he mentioned to Lulloff that he had a friend that he thought Lulloff would like to know, as he maintained a collection of saxophones and was an avid enthusiast of the instrument. 15 Their first meeting occurred at a dinner held after a Michigan State football game, where they happened to be sitting on the same couch. 16 This was the beginning of a very deep friendship that developed between Gourwitz and Lulloff, and a friendship that was key to the commissioning of this work. In Gourwitz’s words, “We’re very good friends. And so, we become, like there’s nobody I’m closer to than Joe and Janet. And I love the saxophone, I’ve always loved the saxophone. I’ve always loved music. But I had no idea I would actually someday be able to give back.” 17 12 Howard Gourwitz and Joe Lulloff, interview by author, Cincinnati, OH, March 11, 2018. 13 Ibid. 14 Ibid. 15 Ibid 16 Ibid 17 Ibid