Competition Solos, Book 2 Alto Sax: Alto Saxophone Book

The collection moves between lyrical character pieces and spirited, virtuosic showstoppers. You'll encounter romantic waltz styles, quirky character portraits, and moments of playful energy, all written at a level that lets you focus on musicality rather than technical survival.

Alto saxophonists preparing for state competitions or musicians seeking solo repertoire at the early intermediate level. This book works equally well for private studio students working toward their first recital and for band directors assembling competition programs.

• Download the audio files included with your book early. Use them to hear how the solo should sit stylistically and to check your intonation against the piano accompaniment.
• Study the specific state list requirements for your competition before selecting your solo. Contest rules vary by region, and your director or state association website will have the approved repertoire for your division.
• Balance tone clarity with the accompaniment by adjusting your dynamic approach for each piece. Some solos sit comfortably in the melody role, while others require you to blend with harmonic texture.

Select one solo from this collection for your annual competition entry, or program contrasting selections across your section during a spring recital to showcase range and versatility. The variety in these nine pieces also makes the book valuable for private lesson curriculum, where you can choose pieces that align with your student's technical development and musical interests.

• Sustaining expressive tone in lyrical passages
• Navigating rhythmic precision in accompaniment-dependent solos
• Stylistic flexibility across Romantic and character piece conventions
• Managing intonation consistency across the instrument's range
• Interpreting dynamics and phrasing within competition expectations