Sound Innovations for Concert Band: Ensemble Development for Intermediate Concert Band: E-flat Alto Saxophone 1 Book

This book respects the intelligence of intermediate players while giving you maximum flexibility in the rehearsal. Boonshaft and Bernotas structured 412 exercises by key and difficulty so you can target exactly what your ensemble needs today, whether that's rhythm precision, intonation in a specific tonality, or the musicianship that comes from playing chorales by Sheldon, Boysen, and other working band composers. The dual approach (technical drills plus repertoire-caliber chorales) means you're never choosing between progress and artistry.

Moving through these exercises is like building a detailed map of the saxophone's range and voice across multiple keys. The technical passages demand accuracy and control, while the chorales shift into the satisfaction of playing genuine concert band literature, written by composers who know how the instrument sits in an ensemble.

Alto saxophonists in intermediate concert bands who are solidifying their fundamental technique and ready to engage with more sophisticated harmonic and stylistic contexts. This book works whether you're following a traditional method curriculum or building supplemental material for your ensemble's specific growth areas.

• Lock in with the section first. Before the full band tackling an exercise together, have all alto saxophones in unison anchor the pitch and articulation so the entire reed section sits together.
• Study the marked dynamics and articulations closely when they're provided. These exercises teach interpretation, not just mechanics; pay attention to what the composers chose and why.
• Use chorales to develop phrase shape independent of the ensemble. Work through one as a solo or small group first so you understand the line before blending it into the full band sound.
• Rotate through keys systematically rather than camping in comfortable ones. The variety strengthens both technical facility and transposition confidence.

Thread chorales into concert programs as musical interludes between larger works, or use them as the centerpiece of a "composer spotlight" rehearsal where students hear connections between exercise and repertoire. The exercise sections serve best as ongoing daily warm-up and sectional material throughout the year, allowing you to address intonation challenges, articulation clarity, and key signatures as your concert season demands.

• Intonation and balance across multiple keys
• Articulation clarity and consistency (staccato, legato, mixed)
• Sight-reading in flat and sharp keys
• Phrase shaping and musical expression
• Ensemble blend and sectional unison
• Reading and responding to dynamic and tempo markings