Sam Lorber, Saxophone

Samuel Lorber holds a B.A. in music from Swarthmore College, and both an M.M. and a Graduate Diploma in saxophone performance from New England Conservatory. His principal studies in saxophone were with Kenneth Radnofsky and Charles Salinger; he has also participated in master classes and coachings with Claude Delangle, Paula Robison, and Nancy Zeltsman, among others. Mr. Lorber has performed with the Delaware, Harrisburg, Reading (PA), and Bay-Atlantic Symphonies, the Boston Philharmonic, and Philadelphia’s Orchestra 2001, and as a guest with the Curtis Opera Orchestra. Critics have praised his performances as "beautifully played" (Broad Street Review), "outstanding," and "impeccably played" (Reading Eagle).

Mr. Lorber has been a frequent contributor to consortium commissions of new works for saxophone. He was one of 43 saxophonists world-wide to premiere Pulitzer Prize winning composer John Harbison’s San Antonio – Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano, giving what Harbison called an "excellent performance." He has also participated in the commissioning of works by composers including Gunther Schuller, David Amram, Joan Tower, and Shih-hui Chen. Vitally interested in the music of our time, he has worked directly with a number of composers in preparing performances of their works, among them John Harbison, Shirish Korde, Gerald Levinson, Lei Liang, James Matheson, John McDonald, Gabriel Riccio, Lili Tobias, Niels Verosky, and Thomas Whitman. 

Alongside flutist Rebecca Simon, Mr. Lorber performs as a member of Duo Vercio, having presented recitals at events including the conferences of the Flute Societies of Greater Philadelphia and of Washington, the U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, and the Midday Monday concert series at Swarthmore College; they have also appeared at composer Andrea Clearfield's famous Salon in Philadelphia, and as featured soloists with the Wilkes University Civic Band. Mr. Lorber teaches privately in the Philadelphia area, coaches chamber music for the University of Pennsylvania, and has also taught at West Chester University. He has recorded for Albany, Centaur, Mark, Mode, Neuma, and New World Records.