New Competitions

Sax Study Book

Sax Scorchers

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Sax Study Book

‘Sax Scorchers’ – 20 Hot Studies for Saxophone
The concept of the Sax Scorchers album arose out of the success of our current study books by Chris Gumbley and Karen Street which are now on the latest syllabuses from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

These books are exciting explorations of the style of a single composer, but we thought we would also like to exploit the full creative potential of all our composers, giving players optimum choice of genre and difficulty within one publication.

To increase the range of material even further, we decided to launch a competition for a contribution from composers at SibeliusMusic.com. The final album will include the competition winners along with the Saxtet Publication composers.

Sax Scorchers now available.

Results - Sax Scorchers Study Competition
In June 2001 Saxtet Publications launched a competition inviting SibeliusMusic composers to write a single page study. The winner's prize is inclusion in our forthcoming 'Sax Scorchers' study album alongside existing Saxtet Publication composers, plus a composer profile on our site.

The cliché of most competitions "the standard of submissions was very high indeed", really did apply here. So, here are the competition results, plus all of the contenders studies, so that you can appreciate the quality for yourself.

Sax Scorchers Winner

Too hot too handle? Definitely one for the last page of the album, this brilliant, pyrotechnic display grabbed our attention immediately - and held it, because along with all the virtuosic bravura, there is plenty of musical substance to it. Congatulations Steve.

Stephen Davies
Now living in Buckinghamshire, UK, Stephen spent eleven years as Solo Clarinet with H.M.Band of the Welsh Guards, playing in many prestigious venues in this country and around the world. His time in the Guards afforded him the opportunity to play, practice and study music of many varied genres, in particular, Jazz and Orchestral Clarinet and Saxophone.

On leaving the Welsh Guards Band in 1989, Stephen took up a teaching post with the Milton Keynes Music Service (UK), working with pupils of all standards, who were majoring in advanced Clarinet & Saxophone study. He also coached students for Grade 8/diploma and College entry exams.

Stephen now works part-time for the service, as his time is now taken up concentrating on writing music. His compositional repertoire consists of a wide range of styles, such as, mixed ability Clarinet/Sax ensembles, Piano solos, Jazz arrangements and originals, right up to Concert Band and Orchestral works.

The next twelve months will see Stephen concentrating on writing music specifically for Clarinet and Saxophone, with the aim of exploring the techniques of the instruments, and adding music to the repertoire that is thought provoking, and enjoyable to play.

Other Sizzlers
If you have checked out Steve's score, like us, you were probably impressed with the music, but left wondering just how many saxophonists could actually play it. (the next competition perhaps?)

Here are three more studies which you may find more approachable technically. They make their point as study material but would also make appealing performance pieces, so we couldn't resist including them in the album. Click on the links to view samples of these studies.

Hot Contenders
You may like to check out the other submissions for yourselves at SibeliusMusic.com via the links below. There's plenty here to explore and enjoy and some of it is free!