Saxophone Choir

CONGRATULATIONS to my saxophone choir students of 24/25 for a wonderful season! We performed a lovely Christmas concert in December and are preparing for a final concert featuring choral music on June 1st.

For 25/26 we will continue with saxophone choir, with registration open in June for choir starting in September! 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.

This year the themes are: Music for Piano and the Music of Animals

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

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Fall 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.

For Fall 2025, the theme will be Music for Piano, plus Christmas music. For the Spring we will play excerpts from Peter and the Wolf and Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals

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 5:30 PM

Pricing: 30$ per rehearsal or recital

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Payment:

Currently we are using Venmo: @Maureen-Walsh-19 or Zelle: MoJadeCat@yahoo.com

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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