Texas Tech University Saxophone Ensemble
 from USA The Texas Tech University Saxophone Ensemble is made up of undergraduate and graduate majors in the Texas Tech University Saxophone Studio in Lubbock, Texas. The ensemble performs in groups of 7-16 and serves to augment the conductor-less ensemble experience of the saxophone majors at TTU. The group has performed at the 2011 North American SaxophoneAlliance Region 4 Conference in Huntsville, Texas and the 2012 NASA Biennial Conference in Tempe, AZ. Members of the Texas Tech University Saxophone Studio have been national finalists and prizewinners in the Music Teacher's National Association Chamber Music Competitions, the Coleman Chamber Music Competition, and the Texas Tech University Concerto Competition. The ensemble seeks to broaden the repertoire and serves to encourage commissions, student transcriptions and arrangements, with a special interest in creating saxophone arrangements of existing 20th century chamber repertoire. The ensemble is under the direction of the Professor of Saxophone at TTU, David Dees. |
Concertino - Igor StravinskyStravinsky's Concertino for string quartet was composed in 1918 and later adapted by the composer for chamber ensemble with winds. It is an early work of Stravinsky's and serves as one of the bridges between his "Russian period" and his "Neo-Classical period." It is well suited for either wind or string performance sensibilities. Stravinsky's rich and dense harmonic language translates well for seven players. Stravinsky's Three Pieces for String Quartet (1913) was also adapted later by the composer for a larger group - in this case, Quatre études pour orchestra (1923). It is a work that also translates well for saxophones. The saxophone ensemble arrangements of both Three Pieces and the Concertino were begun as components of Tracy Patterson's Saxophone DMA lecture recital project at Texas Tech University.
Hungarian Rock (Chaconne) - Gyorgi Ligeti (arranged by Ben Robinette)Composed in 1978 for harpsichord, Ligeti's Hungarian Rock (Chaconne) uses an ostinato based on a 2,3,2,2 subdivision of 9/8 throughout. This arrangement for nine saxophones was prepared by Texas Tech University Saxophone Graduate Assistant, Ben Robinette. It features complex composite lines in the melodic voices and concludes with dual sopranos in a dissonant tutti shout chorus, followed by a brief chorale ending. The Texas Tech University Saxophone Ensemble is joined on Hungarian Rock by Invité spécial rouge raider soprano saxophonist, Jeffrey Loeffert of Oklahoma State University and the h2 Quartet.
Three Pieces for String Quartet - Igor StravinskyStravinsky's Three Pieces for String Quartet also translates well for saxophone ensemble. This arrangement is by Texas Tech University Graduate assistant Tracy Patterson. |
The VIDEOS |
