Who We Are

We are a regional, national and international community of learners and performers. Saxophone students from British Columbia, Alberta, from across Canada, the Middle East and from Asia and the Pacific Rim, are enrolled in a variety of programs including Performance, Music Education, Composition and Musical Arts.

Engagement. UVic Saxophonists participate in all areas at the School of Music including: Sonic Lab new music ensemble; student composers' ensembles; arranging for saxophone quartet; Wind Symphony; Vocal Jazz Stage Orchestra; Saxorchestra; UVic Symphony Orchestra; and Jazz Ensemble.

UVic saxophonists are frequent performers in student weekday recitals at the School and extracurricular events including: Meridiem Wind Orchestra; Band of the 5th Field Battery, Canada's longest serving reserve band; the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 9 Conference; Band of the Ceremonial Guard (Ottawa); the Peninsula Singers; UVic Convocation (Graduation) Ceremonies (featured ensemble); the West Coast Student Composers Symposium; and the World Accordion and Tango Festival (2022).

Initiative & Achievement. In addition to works written or arranged for large saxophone ensemble by Nigel Wood, J-M Londeix and others, the UVic Saxorchestra performs original arrangements written by the Professor and students. Saxophonists have performed with the Victoria Civic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Yariv Aloni, the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Cowichan Consort.

UVic Saxophone Students have attended prestigious summer institutes including the Frederick L. Hemke Saxophone Institute and the European University of Saxophone of Gap (UES). UVic saxophonists are frequent winners of various chamber music categories in the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. Recent quartets have won regional and national chamber music festivals (2015 to Present).

Music Educators from the Saxophone Class are among the most accomplished graduates of School. Saxophone alumni are experienced teachers leading successful independent and public elementary, middle and high school programs.