Last week the Sousa Archives came alive with beautiful music on the saxophone.  We had the University of Illinois’ sax studio visit the Center and many of the students had a chance to play some of the Sousa Archives’ historical saxophones from our collections.  The students pictured in these photographs are playing Fred Monroe’s C.G. Conn bass sax that was used in the Sousa Band during the 1920s, a J. W. York C–melody soprano from 1923, a 1914 Frank Holton tenor sax with three extra keys, and a 1900 Couesnon & Cie, Paris Universal Exposition alto saxophone.  The students had a great time playing these and several other saxophones during their visit, and their teacher, Nicki Roman, provided some wonderful information about 19th and early twentieth-century sax designs.  A very special thank you goes to Nicki for introducing her students to the Center’s music instrument collections.  Looking forward to having them visit us again this school year.  For further information about the Center’s sax collections call 217-333-4577 or email schwrtzs@illinois.edu.