Course Director: Rob Buckland, with Dave O'Higgins, Andy Scott & Fiona Asbury

Take your playing and performance to a higher level...meet and work with like-minded people...have a lot of fun in a relaxed and informal setting...all in the most beautiful surroundings.

The Advanced Course

is led by Rob Buckland and is designed for grade 7+ players. The course will cover techniques, solo repertoire and performance, quartets (pre-formed and new groups formed on the course), working through demanding repertoire designed to push your playing to another level. During the week you will play in two solo master-classes, several quartet classes, a large saxophone orchestra (joined by the players from the intermediate course for some sessions). This course is particularly suited to prospective college students, and advanced players who can read well and play at a high level.

Alongside the classical side of the course programme, Dave O'Higgins, international jazz saxophonist and educator, will lead a three day course of jazz workshops, from basic jazz language and techniques to more advanced improvising and jazz theory workshops.

The flexible timetable also allows you the opportunity to tailor the course to suit your own particular needs.

The Intermediate Course

will be led by Fiona Asbury and is designed for grade 3+ players. Fiona is a former student of Rob so her teaching will perfectly compliment the techniques being developed on the advanced course, providing a perfect starting point for saxophonists to integrate with the players from the advanced course, without the pressure of having to keep up with the demanding work of the experienced players. All course participants will come together for playing sessions each day in the massed saxophone group, and will also take part in workshops with Andy Scott and Dave O'Higgins as appropriate.

Topics covered in both courses include techniques such as basic posture and breathing techniques, rhythm, advanced techniques such as harmonics and multiphonics, advice on what and how to practice, recording sessions where you can analyse and improve your performance, interpretation, master-classes with piano accompaniment, performing skills, question and answer sessions...the list is huge! As well as performing with various ensembles, you can experience jazz funk and beyond with Andy Scott and his Sax Assault charts...there is something for everyone.

NEW for 2008 - Sax Club: Each evening there will be an informal concert, with tutors performing alongside participants playing quartets, solos, jazz with rhythm section, in a relaxed environment. Wednesday night is Jazz Night, with our sister flute course joining us in the bar for a performance by Rob, Dave, Andy, Fiona and rhythm section. Drinks and dancing till late!

For further information, and to apply, visit: summermusic.org.uk

 

Andy leads a Sax Assault workshop on the course.

Rob & Andy - jazz in the bar!