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N o r t h e r n  A r i z o n a  U n i v e r s i t y

 

S a x o p h o n e  S t u d i o 

For many years, the saxophone studio at Northern Arizona University has been the shining example of saxophone studies in the southwest and has established itself as one of the most flourishing saxophone performing environments in this country. 

 

Recently, the NAU Saxophone Studio hosted the North American Saxophone Alliance Region II Conference and, in addition, NAU saxophone students have won major music competitions such as Grand Prize at the Coleman Chamber Music Competition, National First Prize at the MTNA Chamber Music Competition, First Prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, national finalists in the MTNA Collegiate Artist solo competition, and performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and in international concert venues with the Impression Ensemble. 

 

Several of Dr. Bergeron’s students are currently performing in world-renowned saxophone quartets such as Tetraphonics Saxophone Quartet, Mana Quartet, and Project Fusion.

 

The NAU Saxophone Studio is comprised of seventeen music majors (Master of Music Performance, Bachelor of Music Performance, Bachelor of Music Education, and Bachelor of Arts in Music). NAU undergraduate saxophonists also have the option to audition into a dual degree program (both Music Performance and Music Education degrees). Those who are accepted into the saxophone studio are expected to develop an outstanding command of the instrument and maintain a rigorous daily routine performing technical studies, etudes, and saxophone repertoire. Each saxophone student will have weekly hour lessons as well as weekly saxophone studio master classes with Dr. Bergeron. In addition, saxophone students will have opportunities to perform in saxophone quartets, chamber music ensembles, and the highly visible NAU Saxophone Orchestra.

 

 

Headlines

 

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  • Congratulations to Christian Cunningham, winner of the 2018/2019 NAU Concerto Competition. Christian is the 11th winner from the NAU Saxophone Studio since 2000

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  • Congratulations to Justin Nelson, winner of the 2016/2017 NAU Concerto Competition. Justin Nelson is the 10th winner from the NAU Saxophone Studio since 2000

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  • Congratulations to Bryan Fike, winner of the 2014/2015 NAU Concerto Competition. Bryan Fike is the 9th winner from the NAU Saxophone Studio since 2000

 

  • Congratulations to John McCoy, winner of the 2012/13 NAU Concerto Competition

 

  • The NAU Saxophone Orchestra performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance National Conference - March 2012

 

  • The NAU Aeolus Saxophone Quartet (Rachael Falls, Cole Belt, Liza Stegall, Joshua Lang) performed concerts in Halle, Germany and Szczecin, Poland (Spring 2011)

 

  • Recent graduates, Dannel Espinoza, Josh Meyers, and Michael Mortarotti were named Grand Prize winners at the Coleman Chamber Music Competition. This is the first time in the 63 year history of the Coleman Competition that saxophonists have won the Grand Prize

 

  • Noah Bedrin (BM in Saxophone Performance 2004) is the newest member of the Tetraphonics Saxophone Quartet (Germany)

 

  • Dannel Espinoza was named National Second Prize Winner in the 2007 Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Artist Competition

 

  • Josh Meyers and Noah Bedrin were named National First Prize Winners in the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Music Competition 2007

 

  • 11 saxophonists have won the NAU Concerto Competition since 2000

 

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