July 8-13

The weeklong Stetson University Saxophone Workshop focuses on the fundamental principles of saxophone performance and includes an emphasis on specialized classes in playing techniques, jazz chamber and FBA all-state audition music. The workshop encompasses chamber music for saxophone ensembles and master and performance classes. All participants audition and play in a saxophone band and in a chamber ensemble beginning on the first day of the workshop. Eligible students may receive a private lesson from one of the faculty, and are eligible to audition to perform a solo during the young artists' concert on Thursday evening. All students perform during Friday evening's chamber music concert. The final concert Saturday morning includes performances of the two saxophone bands.

To apply to the workshop, please submit a completed application form with a letter of recommendation from your private teacher or school music director. A $100 non-refundable deposit made payable to Stetson University Saxophone Workshop is required with the application and the balance of the tuition is due at registration.

Saxophone Workshop Brochure

Faculty

• James Bishop, Workshop Director, Professor of Saxophone; Stetson University
• Dan Ferri, Jazz/Quartet/Lesson Coach; Private teacher for Woodwind and Jazz; Central Florida
• Bill Guthrie, Quartet/Lesson Coach/Conductor
• Joseph Kreines, Workshop Pianist/Conductor
• Jeremy Williamson. Workshop Coordinator, Director of Bands; Jackson Heights Middle School, Oviedo, FL

Important Documents

• What to Bring (PDF)
• Consent for Medical Treatment (PDF)
• Rules, Regulations and Things to Note (PDF)

Music Activities

Placement Auditions

Please read this information carefully.

On the first day of the workshop after students check in at Presser Hall, placement auditions will take place in assigned rooms. Students will audition on one of the following saxophones: Alto, Tenor or Baritone.

These placement auditions are to assign students to a specific chamber group. This may also determine which type of saxophone the student will play in these chamber groups. They may also determine which master class rotation and morning warm-up class students are assigned to.

A private lesson with one of the workshop faculty is optional. See the Music Activities section for specific requirements. Students who wish to try out for a private lesson will do so during the placement audition time.

During the workshop there are two saxophone choirs: Concert Saxophone Choir and Symphonic Saxophone Choir. All students are automatically assigned to the Concert Choir. Students may choose to audition for the Symphonic Saxophone Choir; the Symphonic Saxophone Choir is considered an advanced-level performing ensemble. Students who choose to audition for the Symphonic Saxophone Choir do not need to audition twice, because the Symphonic Saxophone Choir audition will replace the normal placement audition. (Auditioning for the Symphonic Saxophone Choir does not guarantee placement in this ensemble.)

After the opening student meeting, all students will play a short jazz audition to determine which jazz class they will be assigned to. Students may choose to sign up for a jazz improvisation class or a lab section class focusing on jazz style playing within a jazz band/ensemble setting.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are an "optional" part of the saxophone workshop and are included in the tuition cost. Students interested in receiving a private lesson should prepare one of the following in addition to their workshop audition etude to perform in their placement audition:

1. A selected solo (or movement) from the FBA solo and ensemble list (see recommended list)
2. One or both audition etudes for 2012 Florida All State Band (for their respective grade)

Private jazz lessons are also an optional part of the saxophone workshop and are included in the tuition. Students interested in receiving a jazz private lesson may make arrangements immediately following their jazz placement audition.

Master Classes and Morning Warm-Ups

Students will rotate four days to master classes covering different topics. These will cover numerous specific concepts of saxophone playing. There, they will be instructed by four of the university's saxophone faculty. The warm-up will focus on improving different physical saxophone fundamentals.

Jazz Classes

Most evenings during the workshop, students will be split into one of two types of classes. Students may choose to sign up for either a jazz improvisation class which focuses on jazz theory, ear-training and technique for improving jazz improvisation or a lab section class focusing on jazz style playing within a jazz band/ensemble setting.

Students should decide which jazz setting they wish to try out for before the workshop begins. Students should also consider how much jazz experience they have before making this decision.

Ensembles: Saxophone Choirs and Saxophone Chamber groups

Each participant in the workshop will play in one of two saxophone choirs. Both groups perform in the final concert on Saturday. Each participant will play in either a saxophone quartet or other small saxophone chamber setting. All chamber groups perform in the chamber music concert on Friday evening. Both concerts are free and open to the public. Some students may play a different saxophone in one of the ensembles.

Student Honors Recital

Students who wish to try out to perform on the honors recital should prepare a saxophone solo (or movement) from the FBA solo and ensemble list. Auditions for this event will take place on Tuesday of the workshop. The Student Honors Recital will take place on Thursday evening right before the guest Jazz Artist Concert. Both of these events are free and open to the public.

Students may prepare either their All-State Band Audition Music or a solo from the State solo and ensemble list if they wish to be considered for receiving a private lesson. Please remember that this is optional. This material is available through http://www.dornpublications.com and http://www.eble.com, among others. This list is selected from the FBA solo and ensemble list.