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Geoffrey Deibel

Email Address gdeibel@fsu.edu

Phone (850) 644-6215

Office HMU 228

A Washington, D.C. native, Geoffrey Deibel has emerged as a leading, innovative voice for the teaching and performance of the saxophone and contemporary music. He maintains a multi-faceted career as performer, teacher, and researcher. His most recent recordings include Iannis Xenakis’ Dmaathen with percussionist Ji Hye Jung, and his debut solo recording, Ex Uno Plures. He can also be heard on the Wet Ink Ensemble’s latest recording, Missing Scenes. He has performed with the Athens Saxophone Quartet, and with the International Contemporary Ensemble at the Park Avenue Armory (NYC) in the full North American Premiere of Louis Andriessen’s De Materie, and has given recitals throughout the U.S. and in Europe. Geoff has been an invited guest lecturer at Die Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Stuttgart, at University College Cork, Ireland, and many Universities in the US. He has appeared at the Internationale Ferienkurse für Neue Musik, Darmstadt, the International Iannis Xenakis Festival in Athens, Greece, and World Saxophone Congresses in the UK, Europe, and Thailand. 

Geoff has commissioned new works by both established and emerging composers, including Drew Baker, Caleb BurhansViet Cuong, Nathan DavisClaudio Gabriele, Martin Iddon, Robert Lemay, Marc Mellits, Joseph MichaelsForrest PierceDavid RakowskiDavid Reminick, Jesse Ronneau, and Eric Wubbels. He has also premiered the music of Louis Andriessen, Georges Aperghis, Jason Eckardt, Hiroyki Itoh, Pierre JodlowskiMarc MellitsElliott SharpJagoda SzmytkaMari TakanoHans Thomalla, and Amy Williams

Geoff is a member of the critically acclaimed h2 quartet, first prize winners at the Fischoff Competition and NASA Quartet Competitions, finalists at the Concert Artists Guild Competition, and recipients of multiple Aaron Copland Fund Grants. American Record Guide has hailed h2 as a group of “artistic commitment…boasting superb blend, solid technique, [and] tight rhythm.” h2 has seven recordings available, and maintains a non-profit organization to promote the creation of new works for the saxophone quartet. Geoff is also a seasoned orchestral performer, and serves as principal saxophonist with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. He previously served in the same capacity with the Wichita Symphony, and has also performed with the New World Symphony and Grant Park Symphony.  

As a jazz musician, Geoff has performed with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra and the Truth in Jazz Orchestra, and has performed locally on the Fisch Haus Jazz Series. He has also had the opportunity to perform alongside Ruben Alvarez, Ron Blake, Allison Miller, James Moody, and Matt Wilson. For four years, he served as the President of the Board of Directors for the Wichita Jazz Festival.

Geoff holds degrees in history and music from Northwestern University and the doctoral degree from Michigan State University. His principal teachers have included Joseph LulloffFrederick HemkeLeo Saguiguit, and Reginald Jackson. Geoff has held teaching positions at the University of Florida and Wichita State University, where he was the recipient of the 2015 College of Fine Arts Award for Scholarly and Creative Activity, and the 2016 WSU Faculty Award for Excellence in Creative Activity. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Saxophone at Florida State University. He also serves on the faculty of the Cortona Sessions for New Music, and the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop. Geoff is a Yamaha, Vandoren, and LefreQue performing artist, and performs on Yamaha Saxophones, and Vandoren reeds, ligatures, and mouthpieces exclusively.


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