Saxophone Studio
The saxophone studio at the University of Louisville School of Music offers students the opportunity to experience all styles of saxophone performance. The faculty, with more than seventy-five years of combined teaching experience, has the knowledge and professional performance background to provide all students with a rewarding and challenging collegiate education.
While students are encouraged to focus on specific performance disciplines, all studio members are required to have a working knowledge of classical, jazz and contemporary performance styles. Applied instruction will compare, contrast and integrate the technical and musical aspects of these various idioms thus enabling the individual to have a background worthy of a musician (performer and/or educator) working in the twenty-first century. Students who have successfully completed their work in the studio will:
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have a diverse repertoire of standard classical and jazz literature (original compositions and transcriptions)
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experience a variety of etude and exercise material
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be able to improvise
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be proficient with chord and scale material
Specific material will be selected for each individual depending upon their ability, level of experience and degree goals. Please see Saxophone Requirements for general guidelines.
Applied lessons are given weekly. Length and amount of credit given for applied instruction depend upon individual degree requirements. Please see below for Degree options.
SAXOPHONE WEEKEND 2013 January 18 – 20, 2013
featuring
Miami Saxophone Quartet SSG Paul Tucker, United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
Jamey Aebersold (improvisation) John La Barbara ( arranging) Miles Davis (instrument repair)
Adam McCord, Mike Tracy and the UofL combined saxophone studios
SAXOPHONE WEEKEND 2013 Registration form
Join us for a weekend workshop focused on the study of all styles of saxophone performance. Master classes will be presented on jazz, classical and contemporary style and performance; technique; sound production; reading, improvisation; ensemble playing and more. There will be concerts each evening, ending with student performances. Total cost for the workshop and concerts is $100. Registration form is attached.
Please feel free to contact: Mike Tracy 502 852 6032 miketracy@louisville.edu for additional information.
All activities will be at the University of Louisville School of Music
Saxophone Faculty
Mike Tracy - Jazz Saxophone, Jazz Repertoire, Director
Other Pages of Interest
Studio class is held weekly. Various topics associated with saxophone performance and teaching are discussed and demonstrated. Individual performance is a major component of studio class. All students are required to attend and participate. Guest saxophonists from all areas of performance will frequently conduct class. Artists have included: Arno Bornkamp, Denis DiBlasio, Alan Warren, Pat La Barbera, Paul Brody, Greg Abate, John Vana, Jerry Coker and John Sampan.
Other opportunities available for saxophonists include Saxophone Ensembles, the Cardinal Saxophone Workshop, and the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops.
Saxophone Ensembles
Saxophone Ensembles are another major component of the saxophone studio. All ensembles meet weekly and are directed by a faculty person or graduate teaching assistant. Combinations have included trios, quartets, quintets, large ensemble (eleven plus) and mixed instrumentation. Groups focus on original material in addition to traditional classical and jazz literature. All saxophone students must participate in a Saxophone Ensemble sometime during their tenure in the studio.
View the Saxophone Ensemble Course Syllabus 
Course Offerings and Syllabi
Applied Undergraduate - Saxophone Performance Course Syllabus
Jazz
- M105-M106 Freshman Saxophone
- M205-M206 Sophomore Saxophone
- M305-M306 Junior Saxophone
- M405-M406 Senior Saxophone
Traditional - Music Education
- M111-M112 Freshman Saxophone
- M211-M212 Sophomore Saxophone
- M311-M312 Junior Saxophone
- M411-M412 Senior Saxophone
Applied Graduate - Graduate Saxophone Performance Course Syllabus
Saxophone Studio Class - Saxophone Studio Syllabus
Degrees
- Master’s of Performance (MM)
- Master’s of Performance with a Concentration in Jazz (MM Jazz)
- Master’s of Music Education (MMEd)
- Master’s of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
Bachelors of Music with an Emphasis in Instrumental Performance - BM (4 year) 134 hours
Bachelors of Music Education with an Emphasis in Instrumental Music Education (Wind, Brass, Percussion) - BME (4 year) 138-139 hours
Bachelors of Arts in Music - BA (4 year) 126 hours
Bachelors of Arts in Music with an Emphasis in Jazz Studies - BA (4 year) 130 hours
Studio Requirements
Read the saxophone studio requirements.
Visiting Artists
View a list of artists who have visited the U of L Saxophone Studio.
