Ithaca College Saxophone Studio
Ithaca College Saxophone Studio
History
Saxophone Students
Private Lessons
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SAXOPHONE STUDENTS
Over 50 students
audition every year for acceptance to the Ithaca College saxophone
studio, with an average of 5 to 7 new students attending
each fall. This year's saxophone studio is comprised of 22 students
(20 undergraduate and 2 graduate students). You can see a list of the current
saxophone students by clicking here - Current Saxophone Students.
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PRIVATE LESSONS
All saxophone students take a weekly, private
lesson with Dr. Mauk. These lessons are taught in the classical style, focusing
on the fundamentals of playing the saxophone (such as tone, breathing, articulation,
vibrato, fingerings), scale materials (major, minor, chromatic and whole
tone scales; triads; seventh chords; and major scales in thirds), etudes,
as well as solo and duet repertoire. Those students in the Performance and
Combined Music Education/Performance degrees take one 60-minutes lesson per
week, while those in all other degree programs take one 30-minute lesson.
Students in the performance degrees are expected to practice the lesson material
between 3.5 to 5 hours per week and those in non-performance degrees are
expected to practice between 2.5 to 4 hours. These are averages, of course,
as practice time may vary due to homework assignments, ensemble rehearsals,
concerts, and physical limitations. You can view Dr. Mauk's private lesson
schedule for this week by clicking here - Lesson Schedule
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REPERTOIRE CLASS
In addition to the private lesson, all
students attend the Saxophone Repertoire Class, which meets each Wednesday
from 4:00-4:50 pm. The repertoire class is used for a variety of activities,
including lectures by Dr. Mauk (on such topics as breathing, sight reading,
articulation, reeds, and repertoire), guest artist appearances, and student
presentations and performances. Each student is expected to perform at least
twice each semester in the repertoire class. These can include solo, duet,
and chamber music presentations. The performances are taped for future review
and either verbal or written comments are given to the performers by Dr.
Mauk and the other students. You can view this semester's schedule for the
saxophone repertoire class by clicking here - Repertoire Class Schedule. Back to Top
ENSEMBLES
All music majors are required to participate
in a major ensemble each semester. For saxophonists, that major ensemble
could be the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, or Symphonic Band. Auditions for
these bands take place during the first week of classes in the fall semester.
Dr. Mauk and the three band directors serve as the adjudicators and are situated
behind a screen to assure the anonymity of the auditioners. Once the top
players are chosen for the Wind Ensemble, the others are distributed equally
between the Concert and Symphonic bands. This results in one top group and
two second groups, which assures the highest quality of performance in each
ensemble.
Jazz majors participate in one of our two Jazz Lab Bands as their major ensemble. Other saxophone majors are highly encouraged to play in one of these fine ensembles, as well.
Other ensembles open to saxophonists
include the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and, on occasion,
performances with the Symphony Orchestra. Many saxophonists chose to play
in the Campus Band (designed for non-music majors) on one of their secondary
instruments. This is an excellent way to keep up and improve your doubling
abilities. Students are encouraged to get as much ensemble experience as
possible during their study at Ithaca College. Back to Top
CHAMBER MUSIC
One of the strengths of the School of
Music is its chamber music program. For saxophonists this usually refers to
saxophone quartets (SATB), all of which are coached by Dr. Mauk. Quartets
are expected to rehearse a minimum of two hours per week and receive an hour
coaching every other week. There are usually two or three saxophone quartets
organized each semester. Students in the performance degrees are required
to participate in the chamber music program for four semesters, although
all students are welcomed. Each quartet prepares a program of music, to allow
for performances in repertoire class, on chamber music recitals, and in concerts
off campus.
Since Ithaca College offers an undergraduate
degree in Jazz Studies, there an several jazz combos formed each semester.
These could include, for example, performers on saxophone, trumpet, piano,
bass, and drums. The jazz combos are coached by Professor Stephen Brown, Director
of the Jazz Studies Program. Saxophonists are encourage to participate in
one of these small jazz ensembles during their course of study. Back to Top
RECITALS
There are hundreds of concerts presented
each year at the Ithaca College School of Music. A listing of the 2000-2001
concerts can be viewed on our Concert Calendar.
Included in these are a wealth of saxophone performances. Dr. Mauk presents
an annual solo recital and frequently plays on other faculty members' recitals
and as a soloist with college ensembles. All students in the performance
degrees are expected to present two recitals and non-performance students
are encouraged to play at least one recital during their degree. The School
of Music frequently hosts both classical and jazz guest saxophonists, most
of whom present concerts and master classes as part of their visits. Click
here to see the saxophone recitals scheduled for this semester - Saxophone Recitals.
To read Dr. Mauk's article, "Recitalist's
Checklist," just click on the title. Back to Top
COLLEGE-OWNED SAXOPHONES
The School of Music has a very good inventory
of professional saxophones for use in bands, jazz ensembles, saxophone quartets,
and for occasional use in private lessons. These are available at no cost
to the students, but must be signed out to insure coverage by the College
insurance plan. Dr. Mauk has a selection of professional mouthpieces, ligatures,
and mouthpiece caps for use with these instruments. The students are responsible
for purchasing reeds for these instruments. In addition, the College provides
repair services for these instruments at no charge. Students who attend Ithaca
College are expected to own a professional saxophone in good repair for use
in private lessons. Back to Top
SAXOPHONE STUDY MATERIALS
There are saxophone materials available
in one of three libraries on campus. The Ithaca College Library, located next
to the Whalen Center, houses saxophone reference materials, recordings, and
solo repertoire. The Chamber Music Library, located in the music building,
has our collection of saxophone chamber music. Dr. Mauk owns a wide variety
of reference materials, recordings, and repertoire for use by his saxophone
students. All students are expected to purchase materials used in lessons
to help build their own personal library. Back to Top
SELECTED REPERTOIRE
There is a body of repertoire that most
saxophonists study and perform. These pieces are considered "standard repertoire"
by most professional teachers and performers around the world. Each teacher
does have, of course, his or her own favorite compositions. The works listed
here are those selected by Dr. Mauk as ones he considers the best of the
classical repertoire for saxophone - Suggested Saxophone Repertoire.
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SAXOPHONE AUDITION INFORMATION
Click here to find out more information
about auditioning for the saxophone studio at Ithaca College - Saxophone Audition Information.
