Penn State Saxophone Studio

Congratulations to our graduate of the PSU Saxophone Studio Aaron Kaufman! He graduated with his Bachelor’s in Music Education and will go on to teach at Conemough Vally School District. We wish him the best of luck!

Spring 2026 Woodwind Jury Awards

Congratulations to ALL of our woodwind studio members on their EXCELLENT juries this semester! Bravi Tutti! The following students have been chosen for special jury awards:

Director’s Distinguished
Performance Award Recital
8/28 at 7:30 pm in the Recital Hall

-Stephanie Pond, saxophone (graduate)
-Lily Babione, clarinet (undergraduate)

Jury Honors (alphabetical order)
Common Hour Performances on
8/28, 9/4, 9/11

Elliott Blackhurst, saxophone
Katie Decarli, clarinet
Andrew Islas, clarinet
Anya Kranyak, flute
Clayton Lash, saxophone
Maxwell Morton, saxophone
Sarah Saylor, flute
Colin Slyman, flute
Ella Stremmel, clarinet
Mya Weisinger, oboe
Claire Yenchik, clarinet

CONGRATULATIONS!

I’m very proud of this impressive young man. Saxophonist and music educator Aaron Kaufman will be serving as the School of Music marshal at the Saturday graduation for the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture.

Bravo to the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State student marshals! Read about the students below.

This semester we had two outstanding recital performances by our Saxophonists! First was Elliot Blackhurst and Andrew Islas on April 12th. They held a Saxophone and Clarinet joint junior recital in Esber Hall. Next we have Andrea Gavidia who gave her junior recital in the Eisenhower Chapel on April 18th. Both performances showcased some great music and it was a pleasure to watch them all perform. Congratulations!

This Thursday, January 22, the fantastic Kate Anderson returns to the Penn State Saxophone studio! 5:30pm master class at the School of Music, then 2 jazz sets, beginning at 7:30 PM at Pine Grove Hall in Pine Grove Mills near campus.  accompanied by Joshua Davis, bass, Clay Wulbrecht, piano, and Charlie Heim drums.

Join us Thursday for a masterclass from jazz saxophonist, Patrick Bartley!

The masterclass and concert are open to all. The masterclass is free, but the concert is ticketed through Pine Grove Hall's website. Student tickets are $10.

TWO EXCITING SAXOPHONE ANNOUNCEMENTS!

First, please join us in congratulating our Graduate Teaching Assistant, Stephanie Pond, on winning the Penn State Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition! In competition, Stephanie was accompanied by Dr. Wenyi Xiong. Stephanie will be playing Solace, A Lyric Concerto by Joel Love with SWE in February, 2026. BRAVO, STEPHANIE!

Secondly, our saxophone quartet including: Aaron Kaufman (S), Stephanie Pond (A), Elliott Blackhurst (T), and Andrea Gavidia (B) was selected, through audition, to perform in the Mosaic showcase on December 7th. The quartet will perform the 4th movement of Faustin & Maurice Jeanjean’s Quatuor pour Saxophones!

THURSDAY!

Don’t miss Robert Young’s visit, open to all!

“Fueled by a deep desire to create an enthusiasm surrounding the classical saxophone, ROBERT YOUNG connects with audiences with his musicianship, virtuosity, and authenticity. Praised for his “effortless expression and facile technique” (The Saxophonist Magazine), Robert maintains an active career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator. His artistry has afforded him opportunities to appear with ensembles and musicians from across the globe including the PRISM Quartet, The Crossing, Chris Potter, Ravi Coltrane, Uri Caine, Charlotte Symphony, Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, and the Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra.“

https://forms.gle/rEhpGy4kZk83Prk47

The time has come for the School of Music Merch Order!

Orders are due October 17 and will be distributed in November. Payment will be accepted by cash or check.

Welcome back, saxophonists!

We’re back in the swing in week 4. All events listed are open to the public!

Hope to see you there!