...about DSSQ
The Diamond State Saxophone Quartet is a hobbyist ensemble which has been playing saxophone quartet music since 1972. Although we mostly play for our own enjoyment, we occasionally play for a church, nursing home, or for a special occasion like the annual Separation Day celebration in New Castle City. DSSQ does not meet on a regular basis, but we try to get together every two or three weeks.
John Mills, Bruce Evans, Alan Bates, Dan Coppens (circa 1995)
In Memoriam
John Mills passed away in 2018 at age 86. A music graduate of Oklahoma University, John had a long career as a middle school music teacher, and as a private teacher to many of the best musicians in this area. He played in many bands and other musical groups including the Serenaders, Rhythm Doctors, Swing City, and Musicmasters big bands, the Limestone Clarinets, and the Diamond State Saxophone Quartet.
George Whitmyre passed away in 2023 at age 78. A graduate of Penn State University, he had a 40 year career as Lab Manager in the Physics and Biochemical Department at the University of Delaware. George played clarinet in the First State Symphonic Band and the Limestone Clarinets. He was an entymolgist, machinist, and inventor in addition to his musical ability.
Alan Bates pased away in 2025 at age 95. A graduate of MIT, Alan was a Vice-President of ICI Americas. In retirement, he became a collector of antique woodworking equipment, and later assembled a large collection of harmonicas, which he donated to the University of South Dakota musical instruments museum.
CURRENT MEMBERS
DSSQ began in 1972 with John Mills, Alan Bates, George Paris, and Bruce Evans. George dropped out a few years later. John Mills died in 2018, and Alan Bates had a stroke in the same year and died in 2025.
Current DSSQ members are Bruce Evans, Dan Coppens, Sterling Bowdick, and David Kee.
Former members include Bob Beeson, Jay Mills, Jim Anderson, and Charles Wickam.
Bruce Evans
Bruce is a retired Dupont Company chemist. He studied music at the University of Delaware after his retirement, and has arranged many works for saxophone quartet. His website www.bruceevans.net is known to sax players worldwide. It offers more than 150 sax quartet arrangements which are free to download.
David Kee
David is a graduate of the music school at West Chester (PA) University. He is retired after a career as an instrument repairman through his company Musically Sound. He now specializes in flutes, but has expertise and experience with all other wind instruments. David plays all the woodwinds, and plays with many musical groups of various kinds throughout the Delaware Valley area.
Dan Coppens
Dan is retired from QFix, the company he founded, and is active in several big bands,combos, and Dixieland bands.