UNCG Saxophone Studio

Jury/Technical Requirements (revised 8/2009)

Juries

Saxophonists are required to perform a jury each semester. Juries are recorded as a final exam for studio lessons, and will include all of the material covered during the course of the semester, including skills, etudes and repertoire. Juries will be graded and will count as one third of your semester grade. The technical requirements outlined below will also count as one third of your grade, and your lesson preparation will count as the final third of your grade.

At the end of Semester 1 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills in 16th notes at quarter=104, in all articulation patterns.

-Chromatic Scale in 16ths-full range demonstrating all alternate fingerings

-All Major scales full range

-All Major arpeggios full range

-Major Scales in 3rds through 3 accidentals (Londeix Les Gammes)

At the end of Semester 2 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills in all articulation patterns:

-Same as above in ALL KEYS

-All harmonic (full range) and melodic (one or two octaves) minor scales

-All minor arpeggios full range

-All skills up to quarter-note=120 minimum (16th notes) for PERFORMANCE MAJORS

-All skills up to quarter-note-104 minimum (16th notes) for MusEd./BA/Minor

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At the end of Semester 3 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

-All skills from semesters 1-2 in 16th notes at quarter=120

-Extended range major scales through 4 accidentals (8th notes at quarter=60, semesters 3 and 4)

-Major Scales in Fourths through 4 accidentals

-Diminished Scales full range

-Fully-diminished Seventh arpeggios, all keys

-All new skills in 16th notes at quarter=104

At the end of Semester 4 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

-Same as above in ALL KEYS.

-Whole-Tone Scales, full range

-Augmented Arpeggios in all keys

-All new skills in 16th notes at quarter=104

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At the end of Semester 5 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

-All skills from semesters 1-2 in 16th notes at quarter=132

-All skills from semesters 3-4 in 16th notes at quarter=120

-Major diatonic-seventh arpeggios full range through 4 accidentals

-Chromatic 2nds full range (Kynaston Pg. 18)

-All new skills in 16th notes at quarter=104

At the end of Semester 6 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

-Same as above in ALL KEYS.

-Chromatic Minor-thirds full range (Kynaston Pg. 18)

-All new skills in 16ths at quarter=104

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At the end of Semester 7 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

-All skills from semesters 1-6 in 16ths at quarter=138

-Extend all previous exercises into altissimo range

-Chromatic Major-thirds full range (Kynaston Pg. 18)

-All new skills in 16ths at quarter=104

At the end of Semester 8 of study, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

-All skills from semesters 1-7 up to quarter-note=138

-Chromatic Perfect 4ths full range (Kynaston Pg. 19)

-Chromatic Tri-Tones full range

-All new skills in 16ths at quarter=104

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NOTE: All skills are to be performed from MEMORY utilizing the full range of the saxophone. The student should be prepared to demonstrate all tongue-slur patterns (and even ‘be-bop’ articulations) for all skills. Each semester there may be a Mid-Term skill playoff to assess your progress. Degree Recitals MAY NOT be scheduled until skill levels for 4th semester of study have been tested.

Etudes and Repertoire Requirements for Spring Juries

Juries

The student is required to perform at least one piece (or multiple movements of a work) with accompaniment at the conclusion of the Spring Semester for the saxophone faculty. The total time of the performance should be approximately 5 minutes.

Upon conclusion of 2nd semester
In addition to technical skills, two contrasting etudes, chosen from those studied during the semester, should be prepared as well. The student must demonstrate technical competency in the skills, etudes, piece and possibly sight-reading. The student must also demonstrate a characteristic saxophone tone, careful intonation, musicianship, and control. Control must be shown in areas such as articulation, dynamics, technique, tone and vibrato. In the Jury performance, the student must show musical expression and an ability to relate the saxophone part to the accompaniment. Students who demonstrate the above listed skills are eligible to perform on Woodwind Area and Saxophone Studio Recitals.

Upon conclusion of 4th semester
The student must demonstrate a maturing knowledge of the instrument. The level of control and musicianship as well as the difficulty of the repertoire should be significantly beyond that required in the first two semesters of study. Areas such as intonation, ensemble, flexibility and musical understanding will begin to take precedence over basic technique. In addition, the saxophone student must demonstrate competency on the basic skills outlined through Semester 4. A student that can demonstrate the above skills and musicality is eligible to perform a 1/2 hour non-degree recital as School of Music scheduling/space allows.

Upon conclusion of the 6th semester
The student should demonstrate a high level of technical facility, a commanding presence and musical conviction. The level of repertoire should be very demanding and should show that the student has complete command of the instrument. An ease of expression and an ability to make the music come “off the page” is what is required. In addition, the saxophone student must demonstrate competency on the basic skills outlined up through Semester 6. This must be done before the musical evaluation, and will be done on a one-on-one basis in the saxophone studio. A student that passes the 6th semester Jury is eligible to perform a full 1/2 or 1-hour Degree Recital. The woodwind faculty will determine the student’s potential to present the Degree Recital during the senior year.

Please refer to my list of “Recommended Solo Repertoire” for basic repertoire ideas and expectations.

*No student may schedule Degree Recitals without consulting me first. Any dates must be approved by the instructor. All music education and performance majors MUST present a recital during their senior year. A student is not allowed more than one Degree Recital unless arranged informally or as an off-campus event. No recitals on weekends!