Saxophone
The saxophone is very close to the human voice as an instrument. Like every person, every saxophonist also develops his or her own and recognizable sound. In the lessons you will focus on timing, technique, improvisation, scales & chords, repertoire, and developing your personal sound. Various styles will be dealt with such as swing, bop, latin, contemporary jazz, pop & fusion, Nordic jazz, and various other musical approaches. Both developing your musical skills, as well as expanding your creativity are important features during the lessons.
More about the programmeTeachers
Maarten Hogenhuis
Maarten Hogenhuis is mostly known for his role as saxophonist in the Dutch 'power jazz group' BRUUT!, as a sideman with singer Thomas Azier, and for playing in duo with renowned guitarist Jesse van Ruller. He leads the Maarten Hogenhuis Trio and has been Artistic Director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Maarten has been a member of The More Socially Relevant Jazz Music Ensemble, led by guitarist Reinier Baas, and is a much sought-after sideman, which resulted in the collaboration with a wide variety of artists, such as Michelle David & The True-tones, Ruben Hein, Benjamin Herman and Pete Philly & Perquisite. In 2019, he was selected for the North Sea Jazz Composition Assignment.
Mete Erker
Dutch saxophone player Mete Erker is renowned for his rich and warm sound, strong drive, and his very personal style and expressive way of playing: a combination of raw energy and lyricism. Throughout the years he’s worked with music masters like Peter Erskine, David Liebman, Doudou N’Diaye Rose, and Winston Mankunku. He is part of the jazz saxophone quartet Artvark, Estafest, and Kika Sprangers Large Ensemble. Furthermore he is working with his own Mete Erker Trio and his duo with pianist Jeroen van Vliet. He released 50+ albums and toured the world in a variety of settings, ranging from a modern dance choreography to popular dutch crossover acts like New Cool Collective and Zuco 103.
Paul Weiling
Saxophonist Paul Weiling has been highly rewarded by the press for his ‘extraodinary, harmonically powerful supported lyricism’, and for ‘letting his saxophone swing and jubilate with freedom and fantasy’. After his studies with Ferdinand Povel in the Netherlands and with David Liebman in New York, he started his first band as a leader. In his projects he has fused jazz with a great variety of musical styles such as flamenco, Indian music, and Middle-Eastern music. He also performs as a solo artist using soundscapes and live electronics.
Candidates living in the Netherlands/ Belgium/ Western Germany will do a live audition. Candidates from other countries will do an online audition.
To assess your level of ability, you have to prepare five pieces. These pieces must represent different styles (e.g.jazz, latin, pop, et cetera). In the audition, you will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate rhythmical, melodic and harmonic insights, as well as sufficient reading proficiency.
Video audition:
You have to send a video with 20-30 minutes of varied repertoire (jazz standards, piece in a style of your own choice). We strongly prefer that you play with a band. If this is not possible, you can record yourself playing with a play-along (like iRealPro, for example). In addition, play two scales of your own choice, in all keys, with metronome or backing track. Plus an exercise or tune from Lennie Niehaus' Basic Jazz Conception Vol 2 and an etude from Lennie Niehaus' Developing Jazz Conception. Your videos will serve as the first round of evaluation. If you pass the first round, you will be invited for a second round in the form of an e-meeting. During this second round, we may ask you to complete additional assignments, such as sight-reading, to help us make an informed decision about your application.
Live audition:
You are asked to present yourself and play your repertoire with other musicians. This can be your own band, or if this is not possible, the school will provide accompaniment. Please indicate this on the application form. There is no opportunity for rehearsal. Be sure to bring proper sheet music for your band members.