Hallowe'en Quartet Day 2012

A typical (quartet) day?

Quartet Seminars • A Few Snapshots

Austin • Soprano

Séan • Tenor

Calistra • Alto

Paul • Baritone

Julia • Tenor

SAMPLING OF REPERTOIRE

(Sept. to Oct.)

QUARTET SOPHRESH

Fantazia (Gibbons/Hemke)

Jazz Vignettes (White)

Allegro de Concert (Singelée)

ORFEO QUARTET

Quatuor (Dubois)

Circus Polka (Stravinsky)

La Muerte Del Angel (Piazzolla)

SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE

Conductor: Lee Whitehorne

Wachet Auf (Bach)

Saxophone Audio Portfolio

* * * Please Note * * *

Revised deadline = Dec. 3rd (not the 5th!)

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Audio Portfolio

Due in Master Class: Dec. 3rd

USB stick MP3 format

1. 12 Major Scales: x @ q = TEMPO slurred.
2. 12 Major Arpeggios: full range x @ q = TEMPO slurred.
3. Record with pianist one movement of a major work from your repertoire list.

Refer to the Saxophone Handbook for tempo indications and grading.

2012 Collaboration Seminar

Click to enlarge image.

The Saxophone Door • Update

Click to enlarge.

The Lesson Schedule is now posted on the Saxophone Studio door, B080.

Prior to signing up for a lesson time, please review your course schedule for the entire coming academic year so you can keep the same lesson time for two semesters.

Reminder: our first masterclass is 1pm Wednesday, September 5th in room MAC A168 following the School of Music General Meeting.

Jacqueline Cable

Monica Green, piano

2nd Movement, Fantasia by Heitor Villa-Lobos

Julia Kimberley

Improvisation III by Ryo Noda

Alice Maundrell
Night Bird by Karen Tanaka

CYMC "Sash-o-phone" Quartet

L to R • Toren, Kalen, Wendell and Harrison

Photos by John White

Reflections On CYMC 2012

CYMC 2012 Classical Music Camp

Founded as a summer retreat for the Vancouver Junior Symphony, the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre (CYMC) is now in its 44th year and continues as British Columbia’s longest running music camp. Our mandate, to provide musical improvement and advancement to music students, is achieved primarily with the operation of the CYMC International Summer Youth Music School and Festival, a school for aspiring instrumentalists, singers and actors.

The Classical Music Program, which ran from July 1st to 15th, has now wrapped up after a highly successful two weeks of exciting music making.

It was great to see the familiar faces of returning faculty and students. It was great to meet new faculty and a new crop of talented young musicians.

The saxophonists - Toren (alto1), Harrison (baritone) and Kalen (tenor) - hailing from the lower mainland, after a mere three days of rehearsal gave an excellent performance of the Frackenpohl quartet arrangement of Something Doing by Scott Joplin on the first week's chamber music concert, and followed up with an equally stirring version of The Chorus of The Villagers by A. Borodin on the second concert.

Two others, Troy (camp assistant) and Matt (bassoon/saxophone), joined us in masterclass, and Troy joined the Symphonic Winds for the second week.

Under the able baton of Mr. John White, the Symphonic Winds performed two concerts of thoroughly engaging and challenging repertoire.

Well done Toren, Kalen and Harrison!

A typical day consisted of the following:

0830 • Saxophone warm-up: tone production; articulation; intonation.

0900 • Symphonic Winds

1100 • Sectional Rehearsal

Noon • Lunch

1pm to 2pm • Saxophone Quartet

2:15pm • Symphonic Winds: woodwind sectional

3pm • Masterclass

4pm • recreation time

6:30pm to 7:30pm • (second week) rehearsals for Final Concert.

During the second week, I had the privilege of playing second oboe (on soprano saxophone) next to Russ Bajer (Victoria Symphony) for the Concerto Competition winners (Haydn/Cello; Beethoven/Violin), Elijah/Mendelssohn (choral selections) with the CYMC Festival Chorus, and the moving Finlandia/Sebelius under the baton of Yariv Aloni.

The following photos were taken by Mr. Vic Kirby.

Click here for additional Camp photos.

Additional samples of Mr. Kirby's work can be found at his main website at the following link:

Vic Kirby Photography

Toren

Kalen

Harrison

L to R: Russ, Wendell, Matt, Katrina

Faculty Concerts: Wendell Clanton (soprano saxophone)

Week One: J-B. Singelée Op. 73 (Souvenir de la Savoie) and Op. 102 (Fantasia).

Week Two: Café 1930 by A. Piazzolla with Dave Brown (bass) and Sarah Hagen.

Alumni Concert This Friday, June 29th

Click here for directions to the concert venue.

Click on image to enlarge.

Ensemble Audition Material 2012

Ensemble Auditions

Thursday, Sept. 6th.

2:30 pm

PTY Recital Hall

Excerpts: click on image to enlarge.

Incoming Class of 2012

Greetings and welcome

to the newest members

of the Class!

Zachery Smith, Cranbrook.

Irene Chang, Port Coquitlam.

Quartet Recital May 13, 2012

2:30pm

SUNDAY • MAY 13th

FACULTY CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL

P.T. YOUNG RECITAL HALL
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Admission by donation.

A Victorian Springtime

Visit also by clicking:

Vis à Vis Saxophone Quartet

Gordon Clements

1.
Andante et Scherzo (1938)

by Eugene Bozza (1905 - 1991)

2.
Jazz Vignettes (1988)

by Andrew White (1942)
#3 Buttercup’s Chicken Shack

#4 A Little Melancholy

#7 Beau Huit

3.
Allegro de Concert (1859)

by Jean-Baptiste Singelée (1812 - 1875)

4.
La Muerte Del Ángel (1962)

by Astor Piazzolla (1921 - 1992)

INTERMISSION

5.
Valse Chromatique (1929/30)

by Pierre Vellones (1889 - 1939)

6.
Mosaic

by Misha Piatigorsky (1972)

7.
Quatuor (1956)

by Pierre-Max Dubois (1930 - 1995)
Ouverture

Doloroso

Spirituoso

Andante

Presto

This recital sponsored in part through the generosity of:

Leah MacInnes

of

Leah MacInnes Therapy & Consulting

2012 Year End Reflection

When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.

- Walt Disney

This year several students distinguished themselves by their superior involvement and achievement in a variety of collaborative events ranging from Graduate Student composers' concerts, undergraduate shared and solo recitals to the Class Recital.

Thanks to those of you who, by your exceptional commitment to practice and performance, have upheld the ideals of the Saxophone Class.

Those students who have achieved authentic success as performers and learners have consistently demonstrated:

1. passion and artistry;
2. a positive attitude and integrity;
3. a high degree of self motivation and mature conviction;
4. an ability to engage peers and bring out the best in others;
5. support for their peers and enthusiasm for the class;
6. an ability to overcome personal bias and a willingness to explore ideas and stylistically diverse music with real conviction;
7. a love of performing.

It has been a real delight to have shared with students those times when the music has come alive. There is nothing more satisfying than to be able to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals whose determination and daily commitment to music making has produced real fruit. When students demonstrate a deep connection to the music, those moments are such a lasting joy.

I never teach my pupils;

I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn. 

- Albert Einstein

It is my hope that students will continue to develop a wide and deep appreciation of the saxophone and its varied music which spans more than 150 years and many compositional languages and cultures. There is, after all, much more to music than the present era's often dominating vapid pop culture. We can explore living history by encountering varied personalities through their music. The music offers us the opportunity to experience something of the times in which those composers lived while attaining a deeper understanding our own times. Our own storytelling deepens when we sit at the feet of masters (e.g., by way of recordings, attending concerts, playing great music).  Our narrow perceptions are stretched beyond an ahistorical perspective and we become engaged and our music making is humanized by our encounter with history.

People who are unable to motivate themselves

must be content with mediocrity,

no matter how impressive their other talents.

- Andrew Carnegie

It's far too easy to slip into a pattern of third rate behaviour. An approach such as "doing just enough to pass" is usually detrimental and often affects others in adverse ways.

An ensemble is defined by the level of commitment demonstrated by each and every member of the ensemble. If one member refuses to practice or habitually misses rehearsals, the ensemble will be characterized as substandard due to that individual's weak contribution to the group. An audience has no interest in why a performance is lacking, they just perceive it (and the ensemble) as poor.

The achievement of excellence, by contrast, requires a willingness to exceed expectations. The individual who manifests a love of learning and a desire for excellence has embraced curiosity, a commitment to practice to facilitate artistry and a commitment to his/her teammates in a class or ensemble to help them achieve their educational goals.

To achieve great things, two things are needed:

a plan, and not quite enough time.

- Leonard Bernstein.

It is my hope that all students embrace our rich legacy of learning and performance by seizing opportunities to think big(ger and better):

1. by exploring educational opportunities such as the NASA Region 9 Conference (Saskatoon, 2013) and regional gatherings such as the Vancouver Rousseau/Nolan clinics;
2. by attending concerts;
3. by exploring audio and video performances on the internet; and,
4. through the use of technology and various social networking media, communicate with saxophonists from around the world to exchange ideas and experiences.

It is better to make a piece of music than to perform one,

better to perform one than to listen to one,

better to listen to one than to misuse it as a means of distraction,

entertainment, or acquisition of "culture."

- John Cage

Summer Time

A special note of thanks to all the pianists who collaborated with saxophonists this past year.

And, to Nikki and Patrick, Allyssa, Brendan, Alexei and Taylor and every other collaborative partner who contributed to the success of the saxophone class, thank you for your skill and effort.

Looking to September, the following students are expected and required to perform:

1st master class: Jacquie, Julia, Alice.

2nd master class: Lee, Paul, Calistra.

3rd master class: Sean, Austin.

To those students who have submitted their repertoire and pianist lists for 2012/2013 and who have already purchased scores for study - well done!

Have a good summer!

Jenny and Brad... B.Mus. 2012

Congratulations to Jenny and Brad

on your forthcoming graduation!

Jacquie Recital at Saint Aidan's Church

Jacquie gives her Third Year recital at St. Adan's United Church

this Saturday, March 3rd at 3pm.

Program to include:

Cadenza • Lucie Robert

Oblivion • Astor Piazzolla

Concertino da Camera • Jacques Ibert

Sonatine Bucolique • Henri Sauguet

The Senior Quartet, i.e., Quartet Clipper, joins the University of Victoria Orchestra in world premier performance of Lovely Monster Reloaded by Bernhard Gander. Today! - Friday, March 2nd, 8pm. Tickets at the UVic Centre Box Office.

Uriel's Anvil • Julian Nolan rocks!

A very cool piece. Click and enjoy!

MUS332 (Saxophone) • OVERVIEW

Day 1 (Tuesday Feb. 21) = "Bonjour! Voici Le Saxophone"

1. Introduction to pedagogical concepts.
2. Assembly and care.
3. Posture & position.
4. Foundations of tone production (air/embouchure: bocal performance: dynamics/timbre/tuning).
5. Fingerings (C Major Scale).
6. Quiz (review only - not graded).

Day 2 (Wednesday Feb. 22) = "Saxophone Attacks!" 

1. Review Day 1: bocal warm-up.
2. Instrument family/types (contrast & compare/embouchure).
3. Articulation.
4. Range.
5. Trouble shooting: cures for common ailments.
6. Chromatic fingerings & key names: "Just For The Trill Of It"
7. Quiz (review only - not graded).

Day 3 (Friday Feb. 24) = "The Facts On The Sax" 

1. Review Day 2.
2. Vibrato.
3. Range (altissimo).
4. Review "warm-up procedure" [W.U.P.]: bocal practice - dynamics/timbre/intonation/articulation; vibrato.
5. Feature: Cardinal Rules for Teachers.
6. Quiz (review only - not graded).

Sample Test: SAMPLE EXAM NOW POSTED BELOW

Articles/News

Fingering Chart

Video Links to performances: sample #1 - Vis à Vis Quartet plays Piazzolla.

2012 UVic Saxophone Audition Guide

For all prospective students.

CLASS RECITAL PROGRAM UPDATE!

Please note the changes to the order!
Reminders...
Photo-shoot on stage immediately after the recital!
All pianists welcome in the photo too!
All pianists invited to the reception at Boston Pizza/University Heights after the photo-shoot.

Snowfall and Classes

It's beginning to look a lot like... a day off for everybody!

I'll be at the School around noon, weather and roads permitting. Check back for updates.

Meanwhile, here's the view from my pad:

2012 CLASS RECITAL PROGRAM • click on image to enlarge

Master Class January 18th

1. Kimberley
2. Cable
3. Justason
4. Ing

Location: MAC A168

Master Class January 11th

Spelt, Nair, Lang & Maundrell
Reminder to sign up for Dress Rehearsal time with pianist.

January 21 Annual Recital

Master Class January 4, 2012

Line up: Nicholl, Maynard, Malinowski, Whitehorne.
Sign up sheet for the Class Recital Dress Rehearsal schedule will be posted this Wednesday by 1pm on the Saxophone studio door.
Interim grades are available for individual viewing: inquire with the Instructor.