Steven Banks to join faculty of School of Music at UNCSA
Acclaimed saxophonist, composer and alumnus Steven Banks (H.S. ’11) will join the School of Music at UNCSA as saxophone faculty, beginning Aug. 1, 2026. A trailblazing artist known for his compelling musicianship and advocacy for the classical saxophone, Banks returns to his alma mater to inspire a new generation of musicians with his artistry, experience and deep connection to the school’s creative community.
“I’m deeply honored to return to UNCSA as faculty,” said Banks. “This institution holds a very special place in my heart as it is where my love of music, artistic expression and the saxophone was first set aflame. There is a unique combination of hope, creativity and work ethic here that creates an infectious energy I have yet to find anywhere else. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of that once again.”
Recognized internationally for his lyrical sensitivity and commanding stage presence, Banks has been described by The Washington Post as “the saxophone’s best friend, fiercest advocate and primary virtuoso in the classical realm.” He made history as the first saxophonist to win First Prize at the Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, and later became the first saxophonist to receive an Avery Fisher Career Grant. These landmark achievements have cemented his role as one of the foremost ambassadors for his instrument in the concert world.
Steven Banks / Photo by: Chris Lee
As a soloist, Banks has appeared with leading ensembles including The Cleveland Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Aspen Festival Orchestra, and the Utah Symphony, among others. His commitment to expanding the saxophone’s repertoire is equally distinguished: He has commissioned and premiered new works by renowned composers such as Billy Childs, Joan Tower, Carlos Simon, Christopher Theofanidis and Augusta Read Thomas. Banks is also deeply involved in chamber music and interdisciplinary collaboration, performing with leading quartets and new-music ensembles across the U.S. and abroad.
In addition to his performance career, Banks has held teaching appointments at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Hartford, Ithaca College and Baldwin Wallace Conservatory. His approach to pedagogy emphasizes not only technical mastery but also emotional intelligence, artistic authenticity and cultural awareness — qualities that align closely with UNCSA’s mission of developing well-rounded artist-citizens.
“Steven Banks represents the best of what UNCSA stands for: artistry with purpose, innovation with integrity, and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative voices,” said Saxton Rose, dean of the School of Music. “We are delighted to welcome him back to campus, where his presence will have a transformative impact on our students and community.”
At UNCSA, Banks will teach concert saxophone, lead studio classes, coach chamber music and collaborate with faculty and guest artists on projects that expand the role of the saxophone within orchestral and chamber settings. His appointment underscores the School of Music’s dedication to providing students with access to world-class performers who are actively shaping the contemporary classical landscape.
About the School of Music
The School of Music at UNCSA combines intensive individual study under artist-faculty with a variety of performance opportunities, presenting more than 200 recitals, concerts and opera productions each year, including collaborations with other UNCSA arts schools and a guest artist series. In addition to its undergraduate and graduate offerings, the School of Music is home to one of the nation’s only four-year residential arts high schools. Alongside its instrumental and vocal programs, the school offers an undergraduate degree in composition, a minor in improvised music and jazz, and a graduate degree in composition for film and visual media. The School of Music is also home to the renowned A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, a tuition-free, graduate-level professional training ground for exceptional young vocalists. UNCSA alumni of the School of Music perform with the world’s leading orchestras and opera houses and appear on international stages across a wide spectrum of genres.
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October 29, 2025