Rovner ligatures have been a part of my professional setup, as well as my go-to recommendation for students for the past several years. Recently, I had the opportunity to try the Gold Plated Platinum and couldn't believe that this piece of equipment had managed to fly under my radar! A focused, clear, and rounded sound that features a ton of ring and truly spectacular response.
Saxophonist, Kyle Jones (he/him) currently serves as the Instructor of Saxophone at Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Central Missouri. As an active soloist and chamber musician, he has performed recitals throughout the United States in a variety of mediums and genres. He has performed as a soloist with numerous ensembles, including The University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest Missouri State University Wind Symphony, and the University of Central Missouri Wind Ensemble.
As an advocate for new music, Kyle has commissioned and premiered works by composers including Anthony R. Green, Gabriela Ortiz, Spencer Arias, Evan Williams, Tyson Gholston Davis, and Peter Dayton. He has premiered these works at events across the country such as the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, DC New Music Festival, the International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest®, and other concert venues. Most recently, he commissioned Anthony Greene for a work entitled, "kWEe(a)r(e)," which centers around celebrating and uplifting queer identities. Kyle is currently a member of the Austin-based chamber music collective, Less Than 10.
As a clinician, Kyle has been a guest artist at institutions including the University of Memphis, Columbus State University, the University of Texas-San Antonio, and will be at Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Wisconsin-Wisconsin, and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville this upcoming year. He has also worked with high schools throughout the Midwest, South, and Texas. He has previously taught at MidAmerica Nazarene University, the Tennessee Valley Music Festival, and the Knoxville Youth Symphony's Summer Music Camp.
In addition to his pedagogy and performance activities, Kyle also is an active arts administrator. He currently serves as Project Coordinator for Kansas City Baroque Consortium and Director of Development for Appalachia: A Southeastern Wind Symphony whose mission is to, "operate wind bands that enrich the lives of Southeastern communities and the nation...by fostering an interest in and enjoyment of wind band music, highlighting Southeastern composers, programming featuring historically-marginalized voices from the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, and providing networking opportunities for students and alumni of Southeastern universities." Kyle is passionate about bringing this experience to young professionals, providing them with relevant, 21st-century skills. He has been the recipient of numerous grants as both an individual artist and collaborator. Recent examples include a Bailey Opportunity Grant through the Knoxville Arts and Culture Alliance, an ArtsKC Inspiration Grant, and a Cultural Initiatives Grant through the City of Austin.
Kyle studied at The University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, the University of Texas at Austin - Butler School of Music, the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, and East Tennessee State University with Zachary Shemon, Stephen Page, Gary Louie, and Thomas F. Crawford, respectively. Kyle is a D'Addario Clinician and Rovner Ambassador.
