Saxophone

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Welcome to the saxophone studio at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music! Following is an overview of the saxophone program, as well as information about degree offerings and ensembles.

The saxophone studio comprises 13-17 undergraduate and graduate students pursuing BM, BME, BA, MM and DMA degrees. In an intense, creative and safe environment, students are encouraged to discover and pursue their own voice and its place within the music industry. Students have weekly one-on-one lessons with the major professor and attend weekly studio classes which provide opportunities for students to share their progress, host guest artists, present lectures on a variety of topics and saxophone ensemble rehearsals. All students participate in large ensembles and have many opportunities for chamber music. The saxophone studio also benefits tremendously from the incredible collaborative piano program.

In pursuit of inclusive excellence and a unique musical identity, the College of Music is dedicated to developing multiskilled, multifacted universal musicians. Our Entrepreneurship Center for Music and Musicians’ Wellness Program ensure that our students benefit from a holistic education. In addition to their degree(s), students have the opportunity to add certificates in music technology, music theory, music entrepreneurship and arts administration. And while students are expected to balance academic and instrumental excellence, we also strongly encourage their participation in a range of diverse programs and activities at CU Boulder! 

Alumni

We’re proud of our saxophone alumni, including those who have gone on to teach at Cameron University, Colorado State University, Cornell University, Los Medanos College, Shepherd University, SUNY Plattsburgh, Tarleton State University and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music; other alumni now teach at the Denver School for the Arts and Interlochen Arts Academy. Still others boast diverse careers with the U.S. Army Band; P. Mauriat Saxophones in Taipei, Taiwan; and music production engineering for MakeMusic. Of note, alumna Tia Fuller is saxophonist in Beyoncé’s band; and alumnus Marcello Sbrocca went on to study at the Peabody Conservatory after pursuing graduate studies with Vincent David at the Conservatoire National de Région de Versailles. Check out our alumni class notes for more alumni accomplishments and follow our ongoing alumni highlights on Instagram.

Nathan Mertens

U.S.-based saxophonist Nathan Mertens (he/him) currently teaches at the University of Colorado Boulder. For Mertens, teaching the next generation of musicians is a great honor, and he is continually reshaping the ways he teaches and mentors students. Through his past teaching and performing experiences around the world, and additional education with the Global Leaders Institute, Mertens aims to produce socially and culturally responsible stewards of the saxophone and music who are community-focused. One of the core tenets of Mertens’ artistry is teaching and performing music that represents and reflects our shared world and current realities. This commitment has led him to commission and premiere more than 40 works, with upcoming projects with Anthony R. Green and Zinia Chan. During the 2024-25 school year, Mertens will perform concertos by Alexandra Gardner, Cecilia McDowell and Viet Cuong, and will embark on two recital tours: One in the Midwest with Kenta Saito and Tomoko Kashiwagi to celebrate Japanese saxophone and another in the United Kingdom. with saxophonist Gillian Blair. As a queer individual and former scholar in Japan, Mertens’ performance work focuses on uplifting and highlighting Japanese composers and LGBTQIA2S+ composers. MORE