LOTUS Saxophone Quartet, Outreach Event at Johnson High School - November 17, 2025
On a crisp Monday morning at 8:30am, the Johnson High School Band Hall buzzed with anticipation. Over ninety, vivacious band students filled the rehearsal room. At the front stood head band director Robert Lozano, his assistant directors, and the day’s guest artists: the LOTUS Saxophone Quartet, fresh off their electrifying SACMS concert the night before.
SACMS President Daniel Anastasio opened the event with a welcome and a brief introduction, highlighting what makes a saxophone quartet such a compelling entry in the chamber-music world. He described LOTUS as a rare ensemble whose artistry spans classical, jazz, improvisation, and original composition; and who, as college students at Arizona State University, have already won top honors such as the Fischoff Chamber Competition’s Gold Medal. He framed LOTUS not only as accomplished performers, but as imaginative trailblazers carving out their own musical path.
LOTUS began the morning with the encore piece from their SACMS appearance: Cape Cod Chips by jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara, arranged for sax quartet by Corey Dundee from the renowned Kenari Quartet. Jerick Meagher (on baritone sax) opened with a bluesy bass riff that immediately grabbed the students’ attention. Above this grooving, repeated pattern, the others took turns soloing, sometimes trading measures, sometimes creating duets. Eventually the music morphed into an irresistible boogie-woogie, with everyone jamming out. After that exhilarating performance, the four gave their advice on pursuing a music career, playing chamber music, and finding one’s path.
An engaging Q&A led to more discussion, but GianCarlo Devanii Lay first took the opportunity to talk about the power of early chamber experiences. He told the students that his love for music solidified in a high-school chamber ensemble, and explained that the friendships, collaboration, and joy of playing together made him want to pursue music “for the rest of his life.” Students asked about iPad foot pedals, which LOTUS uses to flip pages hands-free, through Bluetooth. The quartet demonstrated how this allows them to read full scores, stay more connected visually, and focus on one another’s parts. Just when the topic of “focus” came up, the school bell rang, and alto saxophonist Johnathan Lee humorously echoed the pitch on his instrument, earning laughter from the room. Johnathan went on to emphasize the importance of “finding your own path,” quoting their professor’s encouragement to explore composition, improvisation, and cross-genre curiosity. Tenor saxophonist Dan Dauber discussed pursuing a performance degree and balancing repertoire expectations with personal artistic interests. He credited LOTUS’ success to clearly articulated goals: showing up on time, being prepared, and digging in. Giancarlo concluded the segment with a heartfelt reminder that chamber music is worth pursuing not for trophies, but for the joy of sharing music with friends, family, and community.
LOTUS then performed again, something a little more “classical”: the Introduction and Variations on a Popular Round by Gabriel Pierné, a piece they played entirely from memory. Before starting, Giancarlo encouraged students to observe their communication, how their body movement, eye contact, and breath cues help them to play in a more unified way.
The students noticed everything, commenting on the group’s visual communication, the way their movements demonstrated who led each phrase, and — perhaps most importantly — how much fun they seemed to be having. One musician admitted that he sometimes tries to make the others laugh mid-performance with his exaggerated expressions or movements. Questions from the students naturally followed, starting with inquiries about their equipment (mouthpieces, bell rings, ligatures) and turning into a broader talk about fundamentals, including musicianship, goals, and consistent practice. They explained that while equipment can be important, they’re really meant to make things easier. You need to already know what you’re doing to get the right sound and style.
Finally, four student saxophonists got the opportunity to perform their upcoming competition repertoire, receiving individualized coachings. These were highly skilled students, which was no surprise: Johnson High School boasts a serious band program with a long history of awards. But each LOTUS member still found something unique and useful to express. Giancarlo emphasized first impressions, explaining how even a tuning note should reflect the character of the upcoming piece, especially for a discerning jury. He guided the student through more nuanced vibrato, dynamic shaping, and highlighting melody over filler notes. Dan worked with a second student on phrasing, harmonic anchors, and articulation, demonstrating the musical line through singing. Johnathan coached a lyrical etude, encouraging the student to explore a broader dynamic palette, connecting phrases more fluidly, and approaching upper-register notes with delicacy. Jerick offered advice on both performance preparation and managing nerves, speaking candidly about his own pre-audition routine. Giancarlo closed by reinforcing the value of performing often, even informally, to regularize the audition experience and build confidence.
To wrap up the morning, Daniel Anastasio thanked the Johnson band program for hosting, encouraged students to explore upcoming SACMS concerts, and reminded them that all SACMS concerts are free for students. Director Robert Lozano led the room in one final round of applause, and before departing, Giancarlo encouraged the students to follow LOTUS on Instagram and stay connected to their musical journey. The event left a clear impression: LOTUS is not only a quartet of extraordinary musicians, but a group of thoughtful, generous educators. Their blend of artistry, humor, and sincerity left the Johnson High School band inspired — and perhaps planted seeds for future chamber musicians in the process.
-Submitted by the Outreach Committee
