Dr. Benjamin Facundo
Dr. Benjamin Facundo is a GRAMMY-affiliate nominated recording saxophonist and educator based in Dallas, TX. He is praised for his “masterful technique” and “effortless stage presence” (MTNA Young Artists Competition), providing dynamic and compelling performances.
Dr. Facundo is an alumnus of the University of North Texas where he completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance with a related field in Music Business. His dissertation entitled “A Transcription and Performance Guide of the Sonata for Cello and Piano (1922) by Manuel María Ponce for Baritone Saxophone” underscores the lack of music written by Mexican composers. This document brings forth a “new” work for the saxophone by one of Mexico’s most prolific composers. While the lack of works composed and the dearth of programming of Mexican composer’s music is discouraging, this transcription is a step to effect a positive change.
During his time at UNT, Dr. Facundo was a member of the North Texas Wind Symphony under the direction of Eugene Migliaro Corporon. He can be heard on the ensemble’s latest albums Closure and Respair (2023), and on the 2024 Latin GRAMMY-nominated recording of Caribbean Berceuse by Paquito D’Rivera performed with the Barcelona Clarinet Players.
As a soloist and chamber musician, Dr. Facundo maintains an active performance career. He has performed on various stages across the globe, including the Center Auditorium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Congress Hall in Schladming, Austria; and the National Croatian Theatre in Zagreb, Croatia. He is a versatile musician and performs with various groups throughout Texas such as the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, and the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra.
As an advocate of chamber music and diversity, Dr. Facundo is a co-founder of the Lotus Saxophone Quartet where he currently holds the baritone saxophone chair. Lotus makes a point to perform works by underrepresented composers for each concert and competition cycle out of a shared goal of interpreting dynamic and compelling repertoire. They recently performed Viet Cuong’s work Second Nature with the University of North Texas Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Amy Woody.
Dr. Facundo completed his Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance at the University of Wyoming where he served as the Graduate Teaching Assistant of the saxophone studio. As a student, he was awarded the Judge’s Prize of the 2021Dorothy Jacoby Concerto Competition with his performance of Jan Van der Roost’s Images. During his time at UW, Dr. Facundo recorded two albums: The Last Time This Happened as co-lead alto for the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble, and the University of Wyoming Saxophone Studio performing on the alto and soprano saxophone.
Prior to his new appointment at the University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Facundo was the Adjunct Professor of Woodwinds at Tarrant County College - Northeast where he taught saxophone, clarinet, and oboe lessons, and general music courses. He currently has a vibrant private saxophone studio comprised of all ages around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Dr. Facundo has studied under Dr. Eric Nestler, Dr. Scott Turpen, Dr. Jennifer Turpen, Dr. Andy Peeks, and Mr. Rolando Zamora. His professional affiliations are Kappa Kappa Psi, the North American Saxophone Alliance, the College of Music Society, and the Texas Music Educators Association.