By DIANE A. RHODES
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Christmas caroling in Hemet took on a unique sound when 15 saxophone players, led by Hemet High School’s director of bands Dan Boulton, made several stops around town on Dec. 21.
It’s a holiday tradition. For the past 16 years, current and past band members have gathered to play holiday classics, many with a jazzy flavor.
“I originally purchased the music as a way for my students and I to play together and go around town playing for people that have supported the bands,” Boulton said. “It has turned into a great thing for past students and current students to do at Christmas time when they are home visiting their families.”
The Saxophone Christmas group includes soprano, alto, tenor and baritone to accommodate all “voices” in each song they perform. Boulton has been at Hemet High for 10 years and was at Dartmouth Middle School for eight years before that.
Max McDonald is on winter break from the United States Air Force Academy and attended his third caroling event. Riley Mikkelsen has been part of the performances for six years. He is a computer engineer major at UC Davis and is home on break.
His sister, Keely Mikkelsen, is majoring in animation studies at Cal State Fullerton and has been caroling with her alto sax for the past four years.
“This is one of the few times I get to play with my brother,” said Keely, 18. “It’s really fun and I like to come back to my favorite restaurant.”
For the past five years, the group has met at Milano’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant in Hemet to perform and then share dinner and updates. The group then carpooled to a couple more stops to share their music before playing and reminiscing at the Boulton home.
Jason Harris is a senior at Hemet High and was making his first caroling trip. A member of the jazz band’s saxophone section, he was one of several students present, including junior Hannah Warren.
Melissa Beebe was the only baritone saxophone player. She is studying mechanical engineering at UC San Diego and said the group’s form of caroling is “definitely different.”
“It’s nice to see all my friends again, and it’s always fun to play in a bigger group,” said Beebe, 17.
Alumni Tom Catanzaro is a pastor in Hemet and played in Hemet High’s jazz band with Jeremy Pietsch, who is now the band director at Tahquitz High School.
“This is a nice community heritage that encourages kids that even after high school, they can still do music professionally and keep traditions alive,” said Pietsch, 31.
The tradition started when Boulton’s former music teacher and band director, Larry Mattox, asked if a group could play for the annual holiday party he was hosting with his wife, Reggie Mattox. From then on, the caroling was planned around the day of their party. This year they performed a personal concert at the assisted living center Larry is at.
“Larry is special and he was the man that started me on the saxophone,” Boulton said. “There are not words that can describe what he has meant to me as a musician and educator. It is emotional, but if there is anything I can do this time of year for him or his family, I’m going to do it. Larry and Reggie are such great people, and it wouldn’t be a Saxophone Christmas without them.”
Fifteen saxophonists played Christmas songs at Milano’s Pizza in Hemet on Dec. 21. At right is Dan Boulton, Hemet High's director of bands and the organizer of the annual caroling event.
PHOTOS: DIANE A. RHODES, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Hemet High School jazz band alumni take part in the 16th annual Saxophone Christmas caroling event on Dec. 21. From left are Melissa Beebe, Max McDonald, Jeremy Pietsch and Riley Mikkelsen.
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