|
Ken Abeling graduated from Fredonia State University in 1980 with a baccalaureate degree in music education. During his studies, Mr. Abeling concentrated heavily on orchestration and jazz arranging courses with Walter S. Hartley and Emil Palame, respectively.
Upon graduation from college, Mr. Abeling taught high school in central upstate New York before joining the United States Army in 1985 as a saxophonist. He served as staff arranger for three Army bands during his active duty tenure, writing for concert band, jazz ensemble and a variety of chamber groups. His stations included: The 392nd Army Band at Ft. Lee - Virginia, The 2nd Infantry Division Band at Camp Casey - South Korea, and the “The Army Band of New York City” at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York.
While stationed in New York he completed additional coursework in audio engineering. Upon leaving active duty, he began working as a digital audio editor for SONY Classical Productions and as a recording engineer for Unique Recording Studios.
Mr. Abeling currently lives in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two children. He owns and operates a recording studio while serving as the enlisted bandleader and First Sergeant of the 85th Division Army Reserve Band of Arlington Heights, IL.
He continues to play with and write for the saxophone quartet of the 85th Division Band. Of the more challenging pieces found among his saxophone music, most were originally written for groups he has worked in, particularly his current quartet.
He has recently decided to expand the range of his output to reach a wider group of performers. I have little doubt that he will continue to compose and arrange as skillfully for the professional as well as the beginning saxophone, clarinet and woodwind quartet as well as other ensembles in the future.
Cherilee Wadsworth Walker, PhD Teaching Chair, Performing Arts Illinois Central College
|
|
