Applied Saxophone
University of South Carolina
Dr. Clifford Leaman
Office #121; Phone: 576-5893 (w)
cleaman@mozart.sc.edu

PHILOSOPHY:

Applied saxophone lessons are designed to develop a knowledge of musical concepts, both general in nature as well as those which are specific to the saxophone. This knowledge will include general concepts of musicianship such as phrasing, intonation, historical performance practices, and technical development. The issues specific to the saxophone will include many technical aspects of playing the instrument, including scales, intonation tendencies, tone-building, overtone control, articulation, and altissimo, etude studies, as well the basic literature of the saxophone, both in original works as well as transcriptions. An historical overview of the instrument's development and its place in musical society as well as some general theoretical principles as they apply to the saxophone and its performance will be discussed as well.

ATTENDANCE:

The student is expected to prepare for and attend all lessons. This necessitates that the student must maintain a daily practice regimen as outlined below in order to maintain satisfactory progress. If I need to miss a lesson for any reason, I will contact the student in order to schedule a suitable make-up time. If the student misses a lesson for any reason, the lesson will not be rescheduled. Lessons missed for reasons other than illness will result in a lesson grade of “0.” Each student will be asked to progress consistently at the fastest pace possible for his/her level throughout each term of study. Minimum practice expectations are as follows:

1 credit lesson = 7-14 hours of practice per week
2 credit lesson = 14-21 hours of practice per week
3 credit lesson = 21-28 hours of practice per week
4 credit lesson = 28-35 hours of practice per week

MASTERCLASS:

Masterclass will meet on Mondays from 1:25-2:15 p.m. in the Small Rehearsal Room of the Koger Center. There may be occasional conflicts with Koger Events in that space. All undergraduate music majors (BM and BA) with saxophone as their primary instrument will be required to attend this class, as well as all graduate students for whom saxophone is the primary instrument of study. All non-majors are strongly urged to attend as well, and music minors must complete 2 semesters of studio class as a part of their lessons. Masterclass is an extension of private lessons and will encompass lectures, solo and chamber music performances, and other topics of interest to saxophonists.

JURY EXAMS:

Juries are required of all students taking lessons for credit during the Fall and Spring semesters, except those who have performed a university recital during that semester. The jury will occur during finals each semester and will be played for the woodwind faculty. Each student will perform materials from those prepared during that semester of study. These materials will include any or all of the following: Scales, Etudes, two pieces of contrasting style/tempo.

GRADING:

Grading is based on:
1. Semester average of graded lessons
2. Jury or Recital Grade
3. Attendance and performances/participation in Masterclass
4. Attendance at required saxophone functions (a list of required events will be provided at the beginning of the term.)

ACCOMPANISTS:

Please consult your School of Music Handbook to find the performance requirements for your degree program. Many of these performances will require the use of an accompanist, as will performances in masterclass at least once per semester. The saxophone studio has assigned accompanists, and all requests for accompanists should be brought to the teacher as early in the semester as possible. All scheduled solo and chamber performances should be scheduled for performance during masterclass the week prior to the performance. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the teacher of all such needs at least two weeks prior to the event.

PRACTICE ROOMS:

Use of school of music practice rooms requires a key that can be obtained at the music office. Sign up for practice times occurs early each term, and it is expected that each student will utilize the available times as per the practice guidelines outlined above.

LOCKERS:

Lockers are available at several sites in the music building. Please see Tim Crenshaw (Room #116) for an assignment.

REQUIRED SAXOPHONE EVENTS:

Students are required to attend all saxophone recitals of USC students, guest artists, and the saxophone professor unless excused by the teacher prior to the event. It is essential for each student’s musical growth that he/she attend as many musical concerts of high quality as possible. For this reason, each saxophone student will be required to support other saxophonists’ performances with his/her attendance.

NORTH AMERICAN SAXOPHONE ALLIANCE:

All saxophonists who are music majors, or intended music majors are required to join the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA). Yearly dues for students are $25.00. This is the only major organization of saxophonists on this continent and is an important network of saxophone players and teachers from across the country as well as Canada and Mexico. Proof must be submitted to the teacher each term in the form of your most recent NASA Update, which has the date your membership expires.

An application to NASA is available online at: “http://www.saxalliance.org/membership.html”

EMAIL and PHONE #:

Please get an email account and forward this information to the teacher at the beginning of the term. Also, please give you local phone number to the teacher as early as possible each term. I will need to contact various students at times during the term, and this information makes such contact much more timely and efficient.

Required Saxophone Events:
Spring Term 2007

Thursday, February 8, 7:30 p.m. Clifford Leaman Faculty Recital
Monday, February 12, 4:30 p.m. Stuart Ray and Sean Hackett, Sophomore recital
Friday, March 2, 4:00 p.m. Brett Hoffecker, Junior Recital
Tuesday, March 6, 4:00 p.m. Matt Younglove, Sophomore Recital
Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m. Robert Gardiner, DMA Saxophone Recital
Monday, March 26, 4:30 p.m. Chris Poole/Kindall NeSmith, Sophomore Recital
Wednesday, March 28, 7:30 p.m. Leaman/Herring Faculty Recital
Monday, April 2, 4:00 p.m. Ian Jeffress, DMA Saxophone Recital
Monday, April 9, 4:00 p.m. Jonathan Valentine, Junior Recital
Thursday, April 12, 4:00 p.m. Adam Estes, DMA Saxophone Recital
Monday, April 16, 5:30 p.m. Bob Pearson, MM Degree Recital

This list is offered as an aid for you to plan to attend all saxophone recitals and is subject to change. Please make certain that you attend all saxophone recitals that are presented on this campus each semester. I would also hope that you will attend as many of the Seminar performances that include saxophone performers as possible. These will be announced as information becomes available.