Recordings and Performance Guide: Four New Works for the Baritone Saxophone and Piano for the Developing Collegiate Saxophonist

This project includes recordings, composer biographies, and performance guides for four original works commissioned for me. All four compositions were written specifically for the baritone saxophone and piano accompaniment, to contribute and expand the repertoire for baritone saxophone while incorporating pedagogical and performance practices that will aid in the development of a baritone saxophonist. In addition, I will highlight the problems that have become consistent with the limited amount of repertoire for baritone saxophone, and how these commissioned works can be one of many ways to amend these issues. Within these four works, I will discuss and expand on fundamental pedagogical concepts, suitable healthy practice and performance habits to ensure wellness to the performer, as well as my personal approach to each piece. Two of these four original compositions were recorded in Organ Hall at ASU on April 19, while the other two compositions were premiered at the 2023 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference held in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Friday, March 31st. Furthermore, all four compositions will be recorded in a recording studio by the Azure Duo, which consists of myself on baritone saxophone, and John Fabius Solari on piano. Recordings will be done at the recording studio Fusion on First, located at Arizona State University Downtown Campus in June 2023. The first piece, On the Hunt (2022) was written by Jorge Machain (b. 1993). The second piece, written by Brooke Herndon (b. 1995), is titled Vignettes (2022). The third piece, Fantasia V (Five) (2023), was written by Kevin Day (b. 1996). The fourth and final piece in the set of commissions is Lonepine (2023), written by Tanner Bayles (b. 1999).