Alto Saxophone-Introducing the first-ever curriculum for high school band! Essential Musicianship for Band is the perfect tool to assist your ensemble in developing the skills needed to read rehearse and perform band repertoirewith precision and artistry. Using proven methods for superior sound production and ensemble technique your students will transform printed notes into a meaningful musical experience. Fits easily into the traditional concert bandsetting. Masterwork Studies focuses on six landmark compositions for band (score/parts not included). Two CD-ROMs are included featuring: 1. Exemplary recordings of each work performed by some of theworld's finest ensembles 2. Practice ?loops? on the more difficult passages for each individual instrument including tempo adjustment software on-screen assessment and a built-in metronome3. Scale arpeggio and articulation studies in all keysAlso available in the Essential Musicianship curriculum: ? Ensemble Concepts (HL00960059 ? 00960077). Designed to helpensembles to acquire maximum performance skills while increasing overall musicianship. Every aspect of ensemble development is introduced individually in developmental order then combined for more advancedpractice.? Ensemble Concepts - Fundamental Level (HL00960110 ? 00960127)? Ensemble Concepts ? Intermediate Level (HL00960129 ? 00960146)

Maï by Ryo Noda a Japanese composer is a unique piece of work for solo Saxophone that is strongly influenced by Japanese music. With some sonority supposed to be quite close to those of a koto and of a shakuhachi this piece is very technical and complex to play. The story behind this work is about the ghost of a Japanese Samurai. While his wife asks why he let her behind and left to fight in the war he tries to justify his choices. Most of the work depicts the struggle within the mind of the Samurai between ending his life and living in the end of his enemies. The screaming altissimo at the end is the climax of his strugglewhich then followed by a 10 second silence that represents his death. The technical abilities required are: large interval leaps rapid trills alternate fingerings to achieve pitch bending multiphonics altissimo portamento and cutting tone.