Top 10 Saxophone Ensemble Works for Students and Beginners
As the new school term approaches, beginner and intermediate saxophone students will be excited to explore fresh repertoire. Saxophone ensemble music is a brilliant way to develop ensemble skills, teamwork and confidence – all while enjoying a variety of musical styles.
At Saxtet Publications, we’ve curated our top 10 saxophone ensemble works for students and beginners. Each offers flexible instrumentation, engaging parts and educational value.
Street Collection and Street Collection 2 by Karen Street
Street Collection and Street Collection 2 by Karen Street are an essential part of any band director’s library. With six works in each edition, there’s plenty to choose from for your next concert.
Both Street Collection and Street Collection 2 are written for a minimum of four players but have flexible instrumentation. So don’t worry if you have an orchestra of over 4 – almost any combination of saxophones can perform together.
Easy Diner by Claire Tomsett
Easy Diner by Claire Tomsett is a fantastic collection of three pieces especially written for an emerging quartet. Like Street Collection, it requires only four saxophones but has flexible instrumentation to suit most quartets, including all altos!
Alto-gether Now by Mike Smith
Alto-gether Now by Mike Smith was written for an all-alto combination. It does however come with an alternative tenor part if you need it. Like many of our pieces, there are videos of Alto-gether Now on our website, played by the composer.
All Styles by Mark Fielding
All Styles by Mark Fielding is another great collection. Written to introduce beginner saxophonists to a wide range of musical styles, these seven pieces are both stylish and accessible. They also feature flexible instrumentation to suit many different quartet line-ups including all-altos.
Safariana by Nigel Wood
Safariana by Nigel Wood – if you are a music teacher, you may recognise this ensemble. The melody to this saxophone ensemble is based on a melody Nigel Wood wrote for the ABRSM music medal books for saxophone ensemble back in the early 2000s.
This saxophone ensemble is for a minimum of 8 players, with parts for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. There are also optional parts for sopranino and bass saxophone.
Jazz Gallery by Mike Foster
First time quartet player? Jazz Gallery by Mike Foster is an ideal first set of pieces to try. Based on the incredibly popular saxophone and piano pieces from the ABRSM and Trinity exam syllabi, these superbly adapted quartets are ideal for players of grade 2-5 standard.
Arcadia by Alastair Penman
Arcadia by Alistair Penman is a set of two pieces ideal for schools and music services with lots of altos. There are six parts, with parts for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxes. Most parts have alternative alto parts for flexible ensemble sizes.
Funk on Friday by Chris Jolly
Funk Friday by Chris Jolly features flexible parts and open improvisation sections so you or your ensemble can work on the vital skill of improvisation.
In its simplest form, Funk on Friday can be performed by five altos and two tenors. It does however come with parts to enable the full saxophone family, from sopranino to bass, allowing you to perform this work together.
Rain Dance by Andy Tweed and Karen Street
Rain Dance by Andy Tweed and Karen Street is one of our most popular works here at Saxtet Publications. With a catchy tune and fun reggae feel, this piece has lots of optional and flexible parts that make this work an absolute essential for any ensemble.
Simple or What?! By Chris Gumbley
Simple or What?! By Chris Gumbley is another perennial favourite here at Saxtet Publications. As the title suggests it’s pretty simple, but does have some rhythms that will require some attention! Lots of alto parts and optional improvisation sections make this a great work for mixed ability ensembles.
Saxophone Ensemble Music with Saxtet Publications
These ten works highlight the best saxophone ensemble music for students and beginners, offering accessibility, fun and flexibility.
Explore the full Saxtet Publications catalogue for even more inspiring saxophone ensemble repertoire.