Saxophone

Study of the classical and contemporary repertoire for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. The study of other saxophones is encouraged.

Participation in the activities of the Conservatoire's saxophone ensemble is compulsory throughout the course.

The first year of the^1st cycle is devoted to bringing instrumental skills and knowledge up to standard.

From the second year of the^1st cycle onwards, students are required to :

• research into biographies, history, analysis, discography, acoustics and aesthetics ;
• produce at least one transcription in conjunction with another instrumental class;
• putting together a piano sonata team, a saxophone quartet and at least three mixed ensembles;
• active collaboration with the composition classes; each student must produce at least one work by a composition student;
• the organisation of a class concert in which memory playing is strongly recommended;
• taking an introductory class in improvisation as part of the optional complementary subjects.

At the suggestion of the students, the teacher will invite a composer to work on his or her work in the class. Pupils take an active part in the masterclasses given by guest teachers.

We strongly advise you to take part in :

• an exchange with a foreign school as part of the Erasmus programme;
• recording sessions offered by the FSMS department (sound professions);
• a project with the new technologies classes (introduction to playing with electro-acoustic devices).

^1st YEAR HIGH SCHOOL

^1st year examination

Duration: 30 minutes maximum

1. a choice of two works, in agreement with the teacher ;
2. an etude imposed by the teacher eight days before the exam, taken from a list worked on during the year.

One of the two works in paper 1 must be played from memory.

Year² examination

Duration: 30 minutes maximum

1. one compulsory work played from memory, posted two months before the examination ;
2. one work of the student's choice, in agreement with the teacher.

Students have 3 to 5 minutes to present their programme.

DNSPM final examination

Public recital

Duration: 30 minutes maximum

1. one compulsory work; posted two months before the examination ;
2. one or two works of the student's choice, depending on the duration of each work, in agreement with the teacher, including one work of mixed chamber music. One of the works must be played from memory.

Students have 5 to 7 minutes to present their programme and demonstrate the coherence of their choices.

The^1st cycle Advanced Certificate in Saxophone is awarded to students who have passed the DNSPM final examination.

The certificate is awarded on the basis of the final DNSPM examination.

^2nd higher cycle

^1st year recital

Non-public recital

Duration: 60 minutes maximum

1. one compulsory contemporary work, posted two months before the examination ;
2. one compulsory work from the repertoire, posted two months before the exam;
3. one or two works of your choice, in agreement with the teacher, depending on the total length of the programme;
4. an oral commentary by the jury after deliberation.

^2nd year recital

Public recital

Duration: 50 minutes maximum

Free programme

Throughout the course.