About Us

The group’s lead voice. Josh often plays the melodic lines, carrying the main melody with a bright, clear tone. This part requires agility and precision, much like a soprano singer. Josh also performs in the Keizer Concert Band and Keizer Big Band.

The group’s second voice. Rene adds harmonies and counter-melodies supporting the lead voice and bridges the gap between melody and harmony. 

Renae grew up in the Willamette Valley and has lived here all her life. When not playing sax, she works as an elementary classroom teacher. All types of music catch her interest, but especially jazz, salsa, bachata, and pop. She also enjoys playing old Broadway and country tunes on her antique player piano. In addition to playing with the Santiam Saxophone Ensemble, she currently plays with the Keizer Community Band and the Keizer Big Band.

The group’s third voice. Brenda is the "glue" of the ensemble, providing warmth and harmonic depth. The third voice sometimes acts as a melodic instrument, giving a rich, lyrical quality to the mix.

The group’s fourth voice. Greg Hamilton’s fourth voice is strong, versatile and plays both melody and harmony. The fourth voice adds a full-bodied, warm sound to the mid-to-low range and often takes solos or plays duets with the third voice. 

The group’s bass voice providing depth and power ensuring a solid harmonic structure and rhythmic grounding. Greg Pelton is also the arranger, musical director, and logistics coordinator for the group. When Greg isn’t performing on saxophone, you can find him playing tuba with the Salem Pops Orchestra and Keizer Concert Band, also playing trombone and directing the Keizer Big Band. Greg enjoys making arrangements for wind and string groups of all sizes.

Greg grew up in Salem-Keizer Schools music programs. Greg received a tuba performance scholarship to attend the University of Oregon and played in many ensembles including the marching band, basketball band, jazz lab, campus band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, and tuba ensemble.