Pierre Bourque (saxophonist)
Encyclopedia
Pierre Bourque is a Canadian saxophonist
and music educator. Born in Plessisville, Quebec
, Bourque attended the Collège de Lévis in his youth. While there he was a member of the Sainte-Cécile concert band from 1948 to 1955. In 1955 he entered the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Québec
(CMQQ) where he was a pupil of Maurice DeCelles. He transferred to the Conservatoire de Paris
in France in 1958 where he was a pupil of Marcel Mule
. He graduated from the conservatory in 1961 with a premier prix in saxophone performance.
Following his graduation from the Conservatoire de Paris he joined the teaching staff at the Orford Art Centre in Quebec in 1961. He held that position for 11 years. He also taught concurrently at several other institutions. In 1962 he joined both the music staff at the Collège de Ste-Anne-de-la-Pocatière where he taught through 1965. He also joined the faculty of the CMQQ in 1962 as professor of saxophone and wind chamber music; a post he held for several decades. In 1972-1973 he served as the director of the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Chicoutimi. His notable pupils include Jean Bouchard, Claude Brisson, Jacques Larocque
, and Rémi Ménard among others.
While a college student, Bourque toured as a recitalist in concerts mounted by Youth and Music Canada in 1960 and 1961. In 1962 he appeared as a soloist for the first time with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra (QSO). He has appeared with the QSO frequently since then and has also been heard often in concerts with the CBC Quebec Chamber Orchestra. In 1963 he founded the Pierre Bourque Saxophone Quartet with several of his students at the CMQQ. The quartet actively performed and recorded together for more than 20 years; giving tours both in Canada and abroad.
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
and music educator. Born in Plessisville, Quebec
Plessisville, Quebec
Plessisville, Quebec is a county seat of L'Érable Regional County Municipality, Quebec, Canada. Routes 116 and 165 go through it. The city is 185 km from Montreal and 95 km from Quebec City...
, Bourque attended the Collège de Lévis in his youth. While there he was a member of the Sainte-Cécile concert band from 1948 to 1955. In 1955 he entered the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Québec
Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Québec
The Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Québec is a music conservatory located in Quebec City, Quebec. Founded by the Quebec government in 1944, it became the second North American music institution of higher learning to be entirely state-subsidized...
(CMQQ) where he was a pupil of Maurice DeCelles. He transferred to the Conservatoire de Paris
Conservatoire de Paris
The Conservatoire de Paris is a college of music and dance founded in 1795, now situated in the avenue Jean Jaurès in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, France...
in France in 1958 where he was a pupil of Marcel Mule
Marcel Mule
Marcel Mule was a French classical saxophonist.Marcel Mule was known worldwide as one of the great classical saxophonists, and many pieces were written for him, premiered by him, and arranged by him. Many of these pieces have become staples in the classical saxophone repertoire...
. He graduated from the conservatory in 1961 with a premier prix in saxophone performance.
Following his graduation from the Conservatoire de Paris he joined the teaching staff at the Orford Art Centre in Quebec in 1961. He held that position for 11 years. He also taught concurrently at several other institutions. In 1962 he joined both the music staff at the Collège de Ste-Anne-de-la-Pocatière where he taught through 1965. He also joined the faculty of the CMQQ in 1962 as professor of saxophone and wind chamber music; a post he held for several decades. In 1972-1973 he served as the director of the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Chicoutimi. His notable pupils include Jean Bouchard, Claude Brisson, Jacques Larocque
Jacques Larocque
Jacques Larocque is a Canadian saxophonist, arranger, music educator, and university administrator. He has authored and published numerous transcriptions and arrangements for saxophone quartet; some of which have been recorded by ensembles like the Alliage Saxophone Quartet and the American...
, and Rémi Ménard among others.
While a college student, Bourque toured as a recitalist in concerts mounted by Youth and Music Canada in 1960 and 1961. In 1962 he appeared as a soloist for the first time with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra (QSO). He has appeared with the QSO frequently since then and has also been heard often in concerts with the CBC Quebec Chamber Orchestra. In 1963 he founded the Pierre Bourque Saxophone Quartet with several of his students at the CMQQ. The quartet actively performed and recorded together for more than 20 years; giving tours both in Canada and abroad.