In memoriam: Gene Saucier

Gene A. Saucier, 83, died Monday, 28 January 2013 at his home in Oxford. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, he was trained at Cincinnati Conservatory; he joined the faculty of the University of Mississippi in 1960. During 33 years of teaching, he taught woodwind instruments, developed a saxophone ensemble, woodwind ensemble and flute choir, and served as head of the instrumental music area.

Saucier was an active performer on clarinet and saxophone with major bands and orchestras, and received a John Philip Sousa memorial award in 1957. His textbook, Woodwinds: Fundamental Performance Techniques, was published by Schirmer Books in 1981 and received national recognition. His chamber compositions are widely performed.

Gene Saucier is survived by a son and six daughters, ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Memorial gifts may be made to the Gene A. Saucier Excellence in Music Scholarship, UM Foundation, P.O. Box 249, University MS 38677, Attention: Denson Hollis.