Saxophone Choir

Welcome! This year I am introducing saxophone choirs in Falls Church VA and Silver Spring MD! This is a chance for saxophone students to play in a group under the guidance of a teacher and get exposure to real classical music outside of the band setting. We will also learn techniques together that I typically cover in lessons such at intonation, musical phrasing, tone, vibrato and other extended techniques.

Don’t see a time that works for you? Fill out the form anyway and give some possible options. I may be able to put a duet or trio together at a time you’ve requested!

No audition is required, only a letter from the band director or private teacher recommending the student.

At the end of each semester we will perform a recital with all the choirs together to show off our hard work!

Spring 2025: Beginning Saxophone Group Class for 4th-5th graders

(See below for Middle/High School students)

This class is designed for students who have NO experience at all with music lessons or playing the saxophone. We will go at a slow pace, learning all the tips for putting the saxophone together and getting it to make the sounds we want! We will learn to read music at a slow pace as well, using both modified method books as well as melodies from classical pieces and the Suzuki method arranged for a small group.

The group size will be a maximum of 5 students and a minimum of 2, so that everyone can get attention. Parents are welcome to attend! They can participate by clapping along as well as taking notes on the lessons being taught. At the end of the semester, around the beginning of December, students will be invited to participate in the end of the semester recital.

In Silver Spring MD, near downtown: Wednesday’s at 5 PM

In Falls Church VA near the Falls Church Episcopal: Mondays at 5 PM

Pricing 25$ per hour long class and the recital

Sign up at the bottom of this page

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spring 2025 Middle/High school

saxophone choirs

The purpose of these groups is to rehearse and perform REAL classical pieces arranged for a group and give an end of semester performance at the beginning of December.

The first 20 minutes of rehearsals will focus on techniques that are so important to band directors, such as intonation, articulation, vibrato and practice habits to develop speed and technique.

Then we will play the music of composers such as Ravel, Stravinsky, Faure, Mendelsohn, Bach and Eric Whitacre. Saxophone students are usually only able to perform in band where it is rare to play music in the classical tradition, instead playing music by composers specializing in young bands. However, playing music that has been performed by the greatest ensembles in the world allows us to be inspired by listening to the music. Also, being able to play with a smaller group of students of the same age is so great for making new friends and gaining motivation.

Silver Spring: Saturdays 3:30 PM

Falls Church: Mondays 6 PM

Pricing: 30$ per rehearsal or recital

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Payment:

Currently we are using Venmo: @Maureen-Walsh-19

In 2025 we will be switching to the Fons program for payments

Frequently asked questions:

  • Ms. Walsh’s studio close to downtown Silver Spring MD. Recitals will be in a church within a 10 minute drive from Silver Spring, TBD.

    Or in Falls Church VA at The Falls Church Episcopal

  • The younger group will have music appropriate for middle school level all-county band, or around musical grade 2-3.

    The older group will have music appropriate for difficult all-county or all-state band, or grade 3-5.

  • No audition necessary, only a recommendation letter from either a band director or the student’s private lesson teacher. However it is helpful for placement if students send a short video to Maureen.S.Walsh1814@gmail.com.

  • For this year there will be no requirements for how many of each saxophone we have except for baritone sax. Each choir will need one baritone sax but the rest will be flexible.

  • There will be a maximum of 5 saxophonists in each group and it will be FIRST COME FIRST SERVED. If there are more saxophonists interested than can be accommodated Ms. Walsh will invite them to play on other days of the week depending on their schedule.

  • No! As long as the student can attend a majority of rehearsals as well as the last one before the recital they can participate.

  • Fall recital date is TBD at the moment but will be announced before September.

  • For the Fall we will play music by such composers as Mozart, Bach, Ravel, Stravinsky, and Eric Whitacre. Pieces will be added or removed based on need.

  • The pricing is 30$ per rehearsal and recital, except for Beginner Saxophone Classes which are 25$. We will be using Fons as a payment system which can do monthly or weekly payments.

  • Parents are encouraged to sit in! This gives an opportunity to take notes and reinforce lessons during the week, as well as providing extra support for any student's needs. However, Ms. Walsh requests that participation during the rehearsal is limited.

  • I would recommend filling out the form anyway with some alternate times. I may be able to put a group together outside of the regular schedule

Playing in a choir will allow students to go beyond preparing pieces. Together they will expand their technique including intonation, practice habits, air support, articulation and musicality. Knowing that a recital is coming up where everyone gets a chance to be heard is very motivating and the perfect addition to our musical lives!

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