Pedagogy Project

Driven by our passion for creating new music for the saxophone and sharing our love of chamber music with the next generation, the Assembly Quartet has embarked on a long-term, large-scale commissioning project of new works for SATB and AATB saxophone quartet that are artistically fulfilling and playable by driven high school and early collegiate level musicians. While much music of great quality has been written for our genre of saxophone quartet, it can often be quite challenging for a young musician. Additionally, much of the entry level music is regularly features transcriptions of baroque and classical period music. This project seeks to enrich that repertoire with new faces, diverse perspectives, and re-imaginations of what chamber music can be for young musicians. It is one of our goals to have this new music added to prescribed music lists for solo and ensemble festivals. Browse commissions and arrangements from this project by clicking here: Assembly Quartet Pedagogy Project.

Woodwind pedagogy

Whether you are planning on being a music educator, performer, or you happen to be a casual performer who is seeking to improve your skill set, solid fundamentals and quality practice sessions are essential. I hope you find these topics and ideas helpful.  Like most of us, my teaching philosophy is based on a combination of ideas that my teachers have handed down to me as well as to master teachers and artists that I have witnessed along the way – I give full credit to all of these wonderful musicians who have inspired and encouraged me.

I teach university level, pre-college students, and serious hobbyists on the saxophone and bassoon.  The following topics are fundamentals-based and are applicable to all woodwind instrumentalists.  I hope you find the following information and videos helpful.  

For inquiries about private lessons (in person and virtual), and chamber music coaching, please send me an email at ajestes@olemiss.edu.

Pedagogy Topics

teaching videos