Accent on Christmas & Holiday Ensembles: E-flat Alto Sax/Bari Sax Book

This collection solves a real problem for directors working with the Accent on Achievement curriculum: holiday music that actually matches the students' current reading level and instrumental capability. The flexible instrumentation means you're not scrambling to find alternative parts or leaving students sitting out during seasonal programming.

Festive and approachable. These arrangements capture holiday warmth without requiring advanced fingering technique or complex rhythmic patterns. The flexible groupings create a sense of community and shared purpose, whether students are playing in pairs or small ensembles.

Band directors teaching Book 1 of Accent on Achievement who want authentic holiday repertoire aligned with their students' current technical level. Alto and baritone saxophone players in grades 5-8 will find parts that sit comfortably in their range while allowing room for musical growth.

• Balance the parts by rotating who plays the melody during the duets and trios; this keeps all students engaged and gives everyone a chance to lead.
• Use these pieces as informal ensemble-building exercises before tackling larger band arrangements; the intimate setting helps students listen to each other across different saxophone voicings.
• Have students mark their own entrances and cutoffs in pencil during rehearsal, reinforcing independent reading skills in small group settings.

Weave these throughout your December concert season as standalone small ensemble moments between full band selections, or use them in sectional rehearsals to build confidence and intonation within the saxophone section. They work equally well for winter assembly performances, informal concerts, or as reading practice material that doubles as seasonal programming.

• Reading duet, trio, and quartet parts with clear voice independence
• Balancing dynamics and tone within small ensemble voicings
• Listening and blending with peers playing the same instrument
• Counting and maintaining steady tempo without conductor support