ArtistDirect News
American Music Festival Launches 2026-27 Season with Kenari Saxophone Quartet Performance
On September 26, 2026, the American Music Festival will kick off its 37th season with a 90‑minute showcase by the Kenari Saxophone Quartet at First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is scheduled for 1604 Arendell Street.
The quartet, celebrated for its virtuosity and daring programming, will present a carefully curated blend of contemporary and classical pieces that spotlight the saxophone’s breadth. Highlights include David Maslanka’s “Songs for the Coming Day,” Viet Cuong’s “Prized Possessions,” Joel Love’s “In Memoriam,” and the original “The Current,” composed by founding member Steven Banks. Banks, a North Carolina native and UNC School of the Arts alumnus, has forged an international solo career and now contributes a fresh voice to the program.
The American Music Festival, a local nonprofit, has delivered chamber music to Carteret County and Eastern North Carolina for 37 seasons. A portion of ticket sales and individual donations fuels outreach programs in public schools across the region. The festival enjoys financial and in‑kind support from the Arts Council of Carteret County, the North Carolina Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Classical Voice of North Carolina.
Tickets for the opening concert are $35 for adult general admission. Seats can be bought online through Eventbrite or at the door with cash, check, or credit card. Season passes are available for $120 on the festival’s website. Students and active‑duty military personnel may enter free at the door, while students 18 and under—together with one adult chaperone—can reserve complimentary tickets online in advance.
Formed to showcase the saxophone’s range across genres, the Kenari Saxophone Quartet has earned national acclaim, including praise from Cleveland Classical for its technical skill and adventurous repertoire. Their performance at First Presbyterian Church marks the festival’s season launch and offers a platform for contemporary composers while honoring the instrument’s classical roots.
First Presbyterian Church, a historic Morehead City venue, has long hosted diverse musical events. Its acoustics and intimate setting make it ideal for the quartet’s repertoire, allowing listeners to hear the subtle interplay between the four saxophones.
The festival’s partnership with state and national arts organizations underscores its dedication to artistic excellence and community engagement. Support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council enables the festival to maintain high production standards and invest in educational outreach.
For more information about the festival, ticketing, and season passes, visit americanmusicfestival.org. The site also details the broader season schedule, which includes additional chamber music concerts, educational workshops, and community events.
In summary, the American Music Festival’s opening concert on September 26, 2026, will feature the Kenari Saxophone Quartet performing a program that blends contemporary and classical works. The event will take place at First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City, with tickets priced at $35 for adults and free admission for students and military personnel. The festival’s 37th season continues its mission to bring chamber music to the community while supporting local schools through outreach initiatives.
The quartet, celebrated for its virtuosity and daring programming, will present a carefully curated blend of contemporary and classical pieces that spotlight the saxophone’s breadth. Highlights include David Maslanka’s “Songs for the Coming Day,” Viet Cuong’s “Prized Possessions,” Joel Love’s “In Memoriam,” and the original “The Current,” composed by founding member Steven Banks. Banks, a North Carolina native and UNC School of the Arts alumnus, has forged an international solo career and now contributes a fresh voice to the program.
The American Music Festival, a local nonprofit, has delivered chamber music to Carteret County and Eastern North Carolina for 37 seasons. A portion of ticket sales and individual donations fuels outreach programs in public schools across the region. The festival enjoys financial and in‑kind support from the Arts Council of Carteret County, the North Carolina Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Classical Voice of North Carolina.
Tickets for the opening concert are $35 for adult general admission. Seats can be bought online through Eventbrite or at the door with cash, check, or credit card. Season passes are available for $120 on the festival’s website. Students and active‑duty military personnel may enter free at the door, while students 18 and under—together with one adult chaperone—can reserve complimentary tickets online in advance.
Formed to showcase the saxophone’s range across genres, the Kenari Saxophone Quartet has earned national acclaim, including praise from Cleveland Classical for its technical skill and adventurous repertoire. Their performance at First Presbyterian Church marks the festival’s season launch and offers a platform for contemporary composers while honoring the instrument’s classical roots.
First Presbyterian Church, a historic Morehead City venue, has long hosted diverse musical events. Its acoustics and intimate setting make it ideal for the quartet’s repertoire, allowing listeners to hear the subtle interplay between the four saxophones.
The festival’s partnership with state and national arts organizations underscores its dedication to artistic excellence and community engagement. Support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council enables the festival to maintain high production standards and invest in educational outreach.
For more information about the festival, ticketing, and season passes, visit americanmusicfestival.org. The site also details the broader season schedule, which includes additional chamber music concerts, educational workshops, and community events.
In summary, the American Music Festival’s opening concert on September 26, 2026, will feature the Kenari Saxophone Quartet performing a program that blends contemporary and classical works. The event will take place at First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City, with tickets priced at $35 for adults and free admission for students and military personnel. The festival’s 37th season continues its mission to bring chamber music to the community while supporting local schools through outreach initiatives.