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

Cour D’Assises RAYMOND ALESSANDRINI PUBLISHER: 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 ◦21 st century sax quartet ◦The technology ◦The music

Basics ◦Tuning ◦Warm-up

Variations on a Theme by Sweelinck ARR. RAMON RICKER PUBLISHER: KENDOR (OUT OF PRINT)

Variations on a Theme by Sweelinck ARR. RAMON RICKER PUBLISHER: 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 FOURMEAU PUBLISHER: BILLAUDOT

Introduction Et Variations Sur Une Ronde Populaire GABRIEL PIERNÉ PUBLISHER: ALPHONSE LEDUC

21 st Century Sax Quartet: Technology ◦Embrace it! ◦Growth of Asian instrument manufacturers ◦Andreas Eastman saxophones ◦Near-perfect synthetic reeds ◦Légère

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

Turbo Scramjet (2008) WILLIAM PITTS PUBLISHER: WILLIAM PITTS

Rhapsody for Saxophone Quartet (2011) ERIC EWAZEN PUBLISHER: THEODORE PRESSER

Strange Humors (2008) for sax quartet & djembe JOHN MACKEY PUBLISHER: OSTI MUSIC

TXSAX.COM