New Directions: The Saxophone Quartet in the 21 st Century TMEA, 14 FEB 2015 SPONSORED BY ANDREAS EASTMAN & LÉGÈRE REEDS LTD.

New Directions: The Saxophone Quartet in the 21st CenturyTMEA, 14 FEB 2015SPONSORED BY ANDREAS EASTMAN & LÉGÈRE REEDS LTD.

Cour D’AssisesRAYMOND ALESSANDRINIPUBLISHER: ROBERT MARTIN (EDRMARTIN.COM)

The Texas Saxophone Quartet◦ Don Fabian, soprano (SMU, Dallas Winds)◦ David Lovrien, alto (Dallas Winds)◦ Chris Beaty, tenor (Texas A&M-Commerce)◦ John Sweeden, baritone (Dallas Winds)◦ Kevin Luken, djembe

Overview◦ Some basics (tuning, warm-up, vibrato)◦ Improving your chamber music program◦ The UIL PML Class I list◦ 21st century sax quartet

◦ The technology◦ The music

Basics◦ Tuning◦ Warm-up

Variations on a Theme by SweelinckARR. RAMON RICKERPUBLISHER: KENDOR (OUT OF PRINT)

Variations on a Theme by SweelinckARR. RAMON RICKERPUBLISHER: KENDOR (OUT OF PRINT)

Basics◦ Tuning◦ Warm-up◦ Vibrato◦ Introducing the soprano & baritone

Keys to Improving Your Chamber Music Program

Leadership◦ Encourage democratic decision-making, but

establish 1-2 leaders for organizing◦ Everyone is a leader◦ Everyone is a follower◦ Everyone’s voice is valuable

Select Appropriate Music◦ #1 factor: Rehearsal time available◦ Choose music that challenges but doesn’t cause

undue stress or demands

Breathe Together◦ Inhale together for all unison entrances◦ Even string & percussion ensembles!◦ One of many physical cues that promotes

synchronization

Encourage Independence◦ Ensemble must learn to perform without you (the

teacher)◦ Avoid conducting (or gradually reduce over time)◦ You are a coach – you can’t enter the playing field

during the game

Embrace Technology◦ Record run-throughs on iPad or smartphone

◦ Video as well as audio◦ Encourage self-assessment, but advise also

Build Performance Experience◦ Plan a pre-solo & ensemble concert with a friendly

audience◦ Perform at community events◦ Prepared kids *want* to play!

The UIL PML Class I list◦ What we recommend, and why

Arrivée de la Reine de Sabbat (Arrival of the Queen of Sheba)HANDEL, ARR. JEAN-YVES FOURMEAUPUBLISHER: BILLAUDOT

Introduction Et Variations Sur Une Ronde PopulaireGABRIEL PIERNÉPUBLISHER: ALPHONSE LEDUC

21st Century Sax Quartet: Technology◦ Embrace it!◦ Growth of Asian instrument manufacturers

◦ Andreas Eastman saxophones◦ Near-perfect synthetic reeds

◦ Légère

21st Century Sax Quartet: Music◦ Medium has exploded◦ Saxophonists love new music!

Turbo Scramjet (2008)WILLIAM PITTSPUBLISHER: WILLIAM PITTS

Rhapsody for Saxophone Quartet (2011)ERIC EWAZENPUBLISHER: THEODORE PRESSER

Strange Humors (2008)for sax quartet & djembeJOHN MACKEYPUBLISHER: OSTI MUSIC

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