An African-American Air: E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Traditional / arr. Kevin Mixon
Grade: 1 (Very Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0001184_BTX
$3.00
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Description
This solidly scored Kevin Mixon arrangement will support beginning playing lyrically without the need for advanced skills! You can also connect your curriculum to other subjects with the rich integrated learning opportunities. Teach fundamentals of legato playing while captivating audiences with the beautiful tune, An African-American Air. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, An African-American Air: E-flat Baritone Saxophone comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Belwin Beginning Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
66
SKU:
00-PC-0001184_BTX
More about this title
About the Arranger: Kevin Mixon
Kevin Mixon brings decades of instrumental music teaching experience to his work as both an educator and published arranger. He has shaped music programs in urban school settings while developing innovative approaches to curriculum integration, multicultural repertoire, and inclusive pedagogy for learners with diverse needs. His presentations at international conferences including ISME and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic have influenced music education practice across multiple continents.
Mixon holds degrees from Onondaga Community College, Syracuse University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and has contributed articles to Music Educators Journal, Teaching Music, The Instrumentalist, and the National Band Association Journal. He is the author of Reaching and Teaching All Instrumental Music Students and co-author of Teaching Music in the Urban Classroom. His published compositions and arrangements for band and orchestra reflect his commitment to creating accessible, culturally responsive music for young ensembles.
Why we love this
This arrangement succeeds because it prioritizes legato musicality without demanding technical complexity, allowing young musicians to focus on tone and phrase shape while learning a piece with genuine cultural significance. The integrated learning potential opens doors to meaningful connections across subjects, enriching the ensemble's understanding of the music they're performing rather than treating it as an isolated technical exercise.
What to expect
An African-American Air carries the warmth and dignity of a deeply rooted musical tradition. The melody unfolds with quiet strength, inviting the band to discover how simple, well-crafted writing can move an audience without relying on flashy technique or dramatic gestures.
Who it's for
Beginning concert band programs seeking accessible repertoire that honors multicultural traditions while teaching essential legato playing skills. This works equally well for first-year players building foundational musicianship and for established Grade 1 ensembles looking to deepen their interpretive musicality.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melodic line with consistent air support; beginning bands often rush legato passages when they lack confidence, so encourage steady breath pressure throughout phrases.
- Balance the harmonic voices so the featured melody emerges naturally; this teaches students to listen beyond their own parts while maintaining secure fundamentals.
- Use the full duration of note values to allow the tune's lyrical quality to register with audiences; avoid the impulse to move quickly just because the technical demands are modest.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a concert themed around American musical heritage or cultural narratives. It pairs naturally with other multicultural selections and provides an excellent teaching moment in rehearsal about how arrangement choices can honor a piece's origins while making it accessible to young musicians.
Skills your students will build
- Legato articulation and sustained phrasing across full note values
- Melodic listening and voice balance within harmonic textures
- Tone production with consistent air support
- Musical expression at introductory levels
- Understanding of cultural context and musical traditions in performance