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24 Concert Etudes [in progress]

Instrumentation: Solo saxophone

Duration: N/A

Dedicated to: multiple performers (see below)

Movements:

  1. Mazurka (for Patrick Meighan)

  2. After the Silk Merchant’s Daughter (for Shawna Pennock)

  3. Never Apologize for the Fonk (for Marc Ballard)

  4. Kräftig (for Brian Kauth)

  5. Moverse (for Dannel Espinoza)

  6. fusionne avec au delà (for Griffin Campbell)

  7. Étincelles (for Darius Edwards)

  8. Ashta (for Amy McGlothlin)

  9. Legende (for Diane Hunger)

  10. Paysage (for Andy Austin)

  11. Der Magier (for Hannah Koob)

  12. (for Stephen Page)

  13. Abendklänge (for Drew Hosler)

  14. Gránit (for Aaron Manigault)

  15. Variations on a Swedish Folk Song (for Michelle Sanchez)

  16. (for Wildy Zumwalt)

  17. Ballad and Bop (for Dave Wozniak)

  18. (for Erin Rogers)

  19. (for Chris Condon)

  20. TBD

  21. TBD

  22. TBD

  23. TBD

  24. TBD

Program Note: As a composer/saxophonist/educator over the past 25 years, I have noticed a set of issues with traditional etude books for saxophone. Although undoubtedly useful and powerful pedagogical tools, these collections are typically designed to train young players in 18th- and 19th-century styles (a fact that might actually make their musical contents more difficult to apprehend for 21st-century students not raised in classical music households.) Furthermore, they’re written and intended for oboe with the saxophone as a secondhand option. The etude collections out there that do focus on more contemporary styles are often quite difficult and impenetrable for all but upper-level, graduate, or professional musicians.

For example, young undergraduates typically play the Sonata by Paul Creston. Great piece and worthy of study! Now where are the etudes that might help a player grapple with those patterns/that style? Ditto Hindemith, Joan Tower, Bolcom, Ellington, etc…

Another issue is that many etudes are not really designed for public performance, so after all of the effort put into preparation students may feel disappointed that the music will be heard only by their teacher. This doesn’t properly incentivize students to progress and disregards music as an activity of community and sharing.

This volume of 24 Concert Etudes for Saxophone provides a fresh solution wherein players 1) can develop a variety of technical and musical skills specific to the saxophone, 2) will learn a wide assortment of styles and musical languages, 3) can engage with the collection no matter their skill level, and 4) may perform the etudes singly or in various “suites” in public because they allow for such presentation.

Score Sample/Purchase: Not available at this time