Classic Festival Solos (E-flat Alto Saxophone), Volume 2 Solo Book: Saxophone Book

The collection moves between intimate, reflective moments (Arioso, Ave Verum Corpus, Träumerei) and vibrant character pieces that let the alto saxophone shine with its warm, rounded tone. The variety prevents listener fatigue and keeps performers engaged by constantly shifting musical terrain.

Advancing alto saxophone students preparing for festival performances, solo recitals, or competitions. This book serves ensemble directors seeking graded solo material for their program as well as private instructors building a student's solo repertoire across multiple musical periods and styles.

• Treat the Bach and Mozart arrangements as your foundation pieces. Their clarity of phrase and predictable harmonic language reward focus on tone quality and legit phrasing before tackling the more rhythmically active selections.
• The contemporary works (Contempora Suite, Sax Ripple, Saxography) reward students who listen closely to saxophone recordings. These pieces sit comfortably in the instrument's range and let players discover what the alto does best tonally.
• Balance articulation clarity in the faster passages (Matador, Tambourin) with the singing quality needed for the lyrical pieces. Mark your breath points early so phrasing feels intentional, not accidental.

Use this as your primary source for seating auditions or solo performance requirements. Students at this level benefit from having multiple pieces prepared simultaneously, so assigning two or three selections from this book gives them genuine choice in what they'll perform while keeping the rehearsal burden manageable. The festival-selection status also means these pieces are recognized at regional competitions.

• Sight-reading across multiple classical and contemporary styles
• Phrasing in slow, lyrical passages with attention to tone color
• Rhythmic precision in character pieces with varied articulation demands
• Interpretation of baroque ornamentation (trills, grace notes) through arrangement
• Performance stamina across a 16-page solo collection