Dr. Mark Watkins, BYU-Idaho director of jazz studies, showcased his arrangements and compositions in a jazz combo with FOUR, Jan. 26.

Some arrangements were familiar tunes such as “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music, and some were original compositions including “Peas in a Pod.”

FOUR, a group of friends who love to play the saxophone, includes Watkins, Brent Jensen, music teacher at the College of Southern Idaho, Jon Gudmundson, director of jazz studies at Utah State University, and Sandon Mayhew, private music teacher at Albertson’s College.

To play the saxophone professionally you have to have a certain background. “[Playing as a] hobby isn’t going to have enough time,” Watkins said.

Watkins has been playing the saxophone for over 30 years. He has his doctorate in Woodwinds and has taught at BYU-I for seven years. Prior to working at BYU-I, Watkins taught at North Dakota University and Brigham Young University, as well as having been a freelance musician.

It took some time to find a group of people who had this same love of playing and who would put in the time practicing that is necessary to be successful.

“We think so much alike and that really helps,” Watkins said.

Besides practice it takes a lot of talent and experience to put on a concert as FOUR did.

“We never played [some of these pieces] until two or three times before [the show],” Jensen said.

Gudmundson stressed the difficulty that comes with playing Watkins’ compositions. “I feel I am the redheaded stepchild trying to keep up.”

Dan McBride, a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio, didn’t notice if Gudmundson couldn’t keep up. “It’s amazing we can get this caliber here. We have fabulous musicians in the area,” McBride said.

Other students were similarly impressed.

“I underestimated Dr. Watkins. I didn’t know he played like this. I want to shake his hand,” said Matt Bailey, a freshman from Bel Air, Md.

Some audience members liked the performance so much they lingered for a while to share their appreciation with the members of FOUR.