Starlight Memories: 2nd E-flat Alto Saxophone
By Darren W. Jenkins
Grade: 3 (Medium)
Item: 00-PC-0000846_AX2
$3.00
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Description
Starlight Memories was commissioned by and written for the Olathe Civic Band in Olathe, Kansas. It was dedicated to the memory of Ed Badsky, who resurrected the group from a 50 year absence in the mid 1980's. Mr. Badsky was a pillar of the Olathe Band community. He was instrumental in starting Olathe's Band program from its beginnings in the 1960's to what is now a thriving and vibrant program that a proud and supportive community enjoys. Mr. Badsky was also a prominent jazz saxophonist who performed in the Kansas City area on a regular basis during his career. The work itself is meant to reflect and celebrate this man's life and accomplishments. It contains two short alto saxophone solos and its harmonies are "jazz" influenced. The work's title is based upon a local theater at which Mr. Badsky frequently performed.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Concert Band
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
142
SKU:
00-PC-0000846_AX2
More about this title
About the Composer: Darren W. Jenkins
Darren W. Jenkins serves as Assistant Director of Bands at Olathe South High School in Olathe, Kansas, where he works directly with the ensemble culture that inspired this commission. His background spans elementary and secondary music education across Kansas, including time with Lawrence Public Schools and positions at Hayden High School in Topeka. Jenkins earned his Master of Music in Composition from the University of Kansas, studying under James Barnes, and holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Washburn University.
As an active composer and clinician, Jenkins has established a track record of works performed and recorded by ensembles across the United States and internationally. His compositions reflect deep roots in his teaching communities, often honoring the musicians and leaders who shape band programs. Starlight Memories exemplifies this commitment, turning a tribute to a beloved community figure into a piece that carries personal and local significance while remaining musically accessible to ensembles nationwide.
Why we love this
Jenkins captures something rare here: a commemorative work that never feels obligatory or overly sentimental. The two alto saxophone solos give your section players genuine spotlight moments, while the jazz-influenced harmonies keep the ensemble engaged and the overall sound fresh. This is the kind of piece that connects your band to a real story of community leadership and musical legacy.
What to expect
Starlight Memories unfolds with the warmth of reflection and the energy of celebration woven together. The jazz-influenced harmonies create a contemporary feel that's neither aggressive nor purely nostalgic, while the alto saxophone solos evoke intimate moments of connection and memory. The overall arc feels like a musical conversation about legacy, community, and enduring impact.
Who it's for
This piece works well for concert bands at the Grade 3 level seeking repertoire with genuine programmatic weight and community relevance. It engages alto saxophone players with meaningful solo writing while remaining solidly within reach for developing ensembles. Directors looking for a commemorative or dedication piece that also stands as engaging concert music will find strong material here.
How to get the most out of it
- Treat the alto saxophone solos as featured conversations rather than background texture. Give those players rehearsal time to shape their phrasing and tone, and balance the accompanying band to support rather than overwhelm them.
- Lean into the jazz inflections in the harmony. This Grade 3 work sits in a comfortable range for developing ensembles, but the chromatic movement and voicing choices require careful attention to intonation and blend.
- Build the dynamic arc deliberately across the full work. Jenkins designs this piece to ebb and flow, so resist the urge to play uniformly loud; let the quiet moments breathe and earn their impact.
How to use it
Program this as a concert centerpiece when you want to honor a community member, commemorate a milestone, or celebrate the history of your own band program. The Grade 3 difficulty and meaningful writing make it equally at home at a festival or a tribute concert. Its length and moderate technical demands allow it to anchor a program without dominating rehearsal time, leaving space for other repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz-inflected harmonic language and chromatic voice-leading
- Solo performance under pressure and musical communication with accompaniment
- Balancing ensemble sound while featuring principal sections
- Interpretation of subtle dynamic and stylistic nuance in programmatic music
- Intonation and blend in contemporary harmonic contexts