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Steven MaukProfessorMusic Performance |
HISTORY
Ithaca College has maintained a strong saxophone program for over 40 years. This began with Donald
Sinta, who started as the first saxophone professor in the mid 1960s. Following Sinta was Elizabeth
Zinn, Marshall Taylor, and Tim Timmons. These individuals stayed for a few years before moving on to
their current positions. Dr. Steven Mauk has served as the professor of saxophone since 1975.
Prior to that, he held teaching positions at the University of Michigan and at Eastern Michigan
University. Mauk has built upon the strong foundation of Donald Sinta and has helped establish Ithaca
College as one of the premiere centers for saxophone study in this country.
SAXOPHONE STUDENTS
About 50 students audition every year for acceptance to the Ithaca College saxophone studio, with an
average of 4 to 5 new students attending each fall. This year's saxophone studio is comprised of 20
students (18 undergraduate and 2 graduate students). Go to the Current Students section to view
the list of students enrolled this year. To view the contact information for these students, either
click on the link above or go to the Documents section of this web site.
SELECTED REPERTOIRE
There is a body of repertoire that most saxophonists study and perform. These pieces are considered
"standard repertoire" by most professional teachers and performers around the world. Each teacher does
have, of course, his or her own favorite compositions. Dr. Mauk has compiled a list of pieces that he
considers the best of the classical repertoire for saxophone. To download his list of Selected Repertoire for the
Saxophone, either click on the link above or go to the documents section of this web
site.
PRIVATE LESSONS
All saxophone students take a weekly, private lesson with Dr. Mauk. These lessons are taught in the
classical style, focusing on the fundamentals of playing the saxophone (such as tone, breathing,
articulation, vibrato, fingerings), scale materials (major, minor, chromatic and whole tone scales;
triads; seventh chords; and major scales in thirds), etudes, as well as solo and duet repertoire. Those
students in the Performance and the Combined Music Education/Performance degrees (4 1/2
degree) take one 60-minutes lesson per week, while those in all other degree programs take one
30-minute lesson. Students in the performance degrees are expected to practice the lesson material
between 3 to 5 hours per day and those in non-performance degrees are expected to practice between 2.5
to 4 hours. These are averages, of course, as practice time may vary due to homework assignments,
ensemble rehearsals, concerts, and physical limitations. Students are expected to bring a digital
recorder (mini-disc, flashdrive recorder, iPod with microphone attachment, or digital voice recorder)
to each lesson. They may then review the material presented during the lesson throughout the week and
use this device in daily practicing sessions.
REPERTOIRE CLASS
In addition to the private lesson, all students attend the Saxophone Performance and
Pedagogy Class, which meets each Wednesday from 4:00-4:50 pm. The repertoire class is used
for a variety of activities, including lectures by Dr. Mauk (on such topics as breathing, sight
reading, articulation, reeds, and repertoire), guest artist appearances, and student presentations and
performances. Each student is expected to perform at least twice each semester in the repertoire class.
These can include solo, duet, and chamber music presentations. The performances are recorded for future
review and either verbal or written comments are given to the performers by Dr. Mauk and the other
students.
ENSEMBLES
All music majors are required to participate in a major ensemble each semester. For saxophonists, that
major ensemble could be the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, or Symphonic Band. Auditions for these bands
take place during the first week of classes in the fall semester. Dr. Mauk and the three band directors
serve as the adjudicators and are situated behind a screen to assure the anonymity of the auditionees.
Once the players are chosen for the Wind Ensemble, the others are distributed equally between the
Concert and Symphonic bands. This results in one top group and two second groups, which assures the
highest quality of performance in each ensemble.
Jazz majors participate in one of our two Jazz Lab Bands as their major ensemble. Other saxophonists are highly encouraged to play in one of these fine ensembles, as well. Auditions for the jazz ensembles usually take place at the beginning of each semester.
Other ensembles open to saxophonists include the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble,
and, on occasion, performances with the Symphony Orchestra. Many saxophonists chose to play in the
Campus Band (designed for non-music majors) on one of their secondary instruments. This is an excellent
way to keep up and improve your doubling abilities. Students are encouraged to get as much ensemble
experience as possible during their study at Ithaca College.
CHAMBER MUSIC
One of the strengths of the School of Music is its chamber music program. For saxophonists this
usually refers to saxophone quartets (SATB). Quartets are expected to rehearse a minimum of two hours
per week and receive an hour coaching every other week. There are usually two or three saxophone
quartets organized each semester. Students in the performance degrees are required to participate in
the chamber music program for four semesters, although all students are welcomed. Each quartet prepares
a program of music, to allow for performances in repertoire class, on chamber music recitals, and in
concerts off campus.
Since Ithaca College offers an undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies, there an several jazz combos formed each semester. These might include performers on saxophone, trumpet or trombone, piano, bass, and drums. The jazz combos are coached by Professor Stephen Brown, Director of the Jazz Studies Program. Saxophonists are encourage to participate in one of these small jazz ensembles during their course of study.
RECITALS
There are hundreds of concerts presented each year at the Ithaca College School of Music. A listing of
the current concerts can be viewed on our concert
calendar. Included in these are a wealth of saxophone performances. Dr. Mauk presents an annual
solo recital and frequently plays on other faculty members' recitals and as a soloist with college
ensembles. All students in the performance degrees are expected to present two recitals and
non-performance students are encouraged to play at least one recital during their degree. The School of
Music frequently hosts both classical and jazz guest saxophonists, most of whom present concerts and
master classes as part of their visits. To read Dr. Mauk's article, A Recitalist's Checklist, click on
the document link above or go to the Documents section of this web site.
COLLEGE-OWNED SAXOPHONES
The School of Music has a very good inventory of professional saxophones for use in bands, jazz
ensembles, saxophone quartets, and for occasional use in private lessons. The collection includes
professional brand instruments (made by Selmer, Yamaha, and Keilwerth) including sopranos, alto,
tenors, baritones, and even a bass saxophone. These are available at no cost to the students, but
must be signed out to guarantee coverage by the College insurance plan. Dr. Mauk has a selection of
professional mouthpieces, ligatures, and mouthpiece caps for use with these instruments. The students
are responsible only for purchasing reeds. In addition, the College provides repair services for the
school instruments at no charge. Students who attend Ithaca College are expected to have their
own professional saxophone in good repair for use in private lessons.
SAXOPHONE STUDY MATERIALS
There are saxophone materials available in one of three libraries on campus. The Ithaca College
Library, attached to the Whalen Center for Music, houses saxophone reference materials, recordings, and
solo repertoire. The Chamber Music Library, located in the music building, has our collection of
saxophone chamber music. Dr. Mauk owns a wide variety of reference materials, recordings, and
repertoire for use by his saxophone students. All students are expected to purchase materials used in
lessons to help build their own personal library.
Selected Repertoire for Saxophone