Saxophone

Teaching

Instrument-specific classes take place weekly. These might focus on repertoire, technique, stylistic issues, different genres, performance, sight reading, recording studio techniques, doubling, performance anxiety and more. The classes are taught by leading professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds – world-class soloists and teachers, members of pop groups, orchestral musicians, ‘doublers’, jazz players, mouthpiece experts, etc. Throughout your studies, you will gain experience playing all members of the saxophone family, from sopranino to bass, while maintaining the focus on your primary instrument.

Current teachers on the course include Gerard McChrystal, Melanie Henry and Mick Foster.

View all Wind, Brass and Percussion Teaching Staff 

Performance

You will have access to a wide range of performance opportunities, including solo; chamber music; chamber orchestra; symphony orchestra; wind orchestra; opera orchestra; pit band; wind ensemble; mixed ensemble; Sinfonia. There are also regular side­ by-side projects in which students perform alongside professionals. Wind, Brass and Percussion students also have various opportunities to be involved in a wide range of unique events each term, which can encompass anything from an improvisation festival to formal performances at prestigious London venues. Recent venues that our students have performed at include The Old Royal Naval College Chapel, St Alphege’s Church, Southwark Cathedral, The Francis Crick Institute.

Find out more about Music Performance Opportunities.

Chamber Music

Chamber music is compulsory. Saxophone quartet sessions with a tutor take place every week. Saxophone Choir rehearses every week, and there are regular Saxophone Choir concerts each term, involving all saxophone students. Sometimes international soloists join the ensemble. There are saxophone chamber music concerts each term as well as opportunities to be involved in chamber projects with students and staff from other departments.

CoLab

All saxophone students are involved in the annual Colab module, which allows you to take part in a range of exciting collaborative projects outside normal curricular activities. Guided by expert mentors but often conceived and led by students themselves, Colab projects allow you to build artistic relationships with performers across genres, disciplines and cultures, culminating in a programme of both informal and large scale performances across Trinity Laban.

Location and Facilities

Our truly magnificent location – the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich – is the envy of the world.

We are just a short journey from the centre of London, one of the leading musical centres of the world, yet situated within the “village” atmosphere of Greenwich, allowing for an escape from the busy city.

Our exceptional facilities include numerous well-equipped practice rooms, a suite of recital spaces, a recording studio, award-winning library and extensive IT.

Crucially, our on-site luthier is also on hand to rehair bows and repair instruments. In addition to this the Saxophone department is pleased to be able to offer on-loan, a range of instruments such as soprano, tenor and baritone saxophones.

And perhaps the most important thing of all is the atmosphere here at Trinity Laban. You’ll find yourself surrounded by colleagues – both students and staff – who are extremely dedicated, and hard-working but also friendly and supportive.

Many students who come to Trinity Laban after studying at other conservatoires around the world tell us that there is nowhere better to help you unlock potential, and complete your journey into the professional world.