Saxophone excellence in the heart of OKC
Oklahoma City University’s Wanda L. Bass School of Music prides itself on fostering a creative environment that encourages exploration and collaboration. Faculty members at Oklahoma City University are active musicians and scholars whose first priority is teaching and mentoring. Performance opportunities abound with more than 250 events staged throughout the academic year, ranging from solo recitals to full-scale choral and orchestral works, as well as six opera and music theater productions. Few schools have produced so many graduates who excel across the musical spectrum, as performers, educators, and composers. Fewer still have had alumni recognized with Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Awards. Only one institution from that elite company -- OCU -- is an all-Steinway school and an Apple Digital Campus that has been honored by ASCAP with its prestigious national orchestral award for adventurous programming of contemporary music.
Discover the OCU Saxophone Studio
The Oklahoma City University Saxophone Studio is a vibrant home to talented, hardworking, and motivated students of diverse musical backgrounds. The studio gladly welcomes both majors and non-majors and nurtures high achievement regardless of major. Students support each other and create a strong studio family feel. As a teacher, I strive to ensure that every student’s personal goals and my methods are always in alignment. Every OCU saxophonist will study with me, not a graduate assistant, for their entire degree. Uniquely, the OCU saxophone studio allows ample opportunities for crossover and collaboration. Saxophonists often play in both classical and jazz settings and engage in secondary areas such as woodwind doubling, vocal ensembles, piano, or composition.
Available Undergraduate Programs:
BM Instrumental Performance
BM Instrumental Music Education
BM Music Composition
BA Music (designed for double majors!)
BA Music + Pre-Law Studies
BA Music + Pre-Med Studies
Non-major scholarship auditions
Available Graduate Programs:
MM Instrumental Performance
MM Multiple Woodwind Instrumental Performance
MM Music Composition (secondary elective studies on saxophone)
Studio Activities & Ensembles:
Saxophone duos, trios, and quartets
Large saxophone orchestra
Local and OCU-based solo and chamber competitions
OCU and off-campus musical theater pit bands
OCU Composition Studio collaborations (Project 21)
OCU Jazz Ensemble & student combos
Off-campus performances and teaching gigs
Student organization and OCU greek life sponsored performances
Masterclasses and extra private lessons with guest artists
Recent guest artists: Bob Mintzer, Kenneth Tse, Geoff Landman, John Sampen, Alexis Seah, and Clay Steiner
Annual OKC Saxophone Day
How do I apply?
Step 1: Complete the University’s general application:
- Undergraduate (University App)
- Undergraduate (Common App)
- Graduate
Step 2: Complete the School of Music’s Acceptd application to schedule your audition:
- Wanda L. Bass School of Music Acceptd App
Step 3: Audition!
I am ready to audition! What music should I prepare?
Undergraduate audition info
Prepare the chromatic scale and major scales, either full-range or all-state style. Applicants will be asked to play a few scale selections in the audition.
Memorization is preferred. Cleanliness, accuracy, and polish are more important than sheer speed!
Prepare two (2) contrasting selections from the following list suggested repertoire. Other non-listed pieces of similar quality and rigor are welcome. I suggest picking a single movement from the solo works and a contrasting etude.
Solo Works:
E. Bozza, Aria
P. Creston, Sonata, Op. 19
H. Eccles (arranged by Sigurd Rascher), Sonata
A. Glazunov, Concerto, Op. 109
B. Heiden, Sonata
A. Jolivet, Fantasie Impromptu
D. Joly, Cantilène et Danse
P. Maurice, Tableaux de Provence
J. Rueff, Chanson et Passepied
J.B. Singelée, Concertino, Op. 57 or Op. 78
H. Villa-Lobos, Fantasia
Etudes:
B. Berbiguier (arranged by Marcel Mule), 18 Exercises
W. Ferling, 48 Famous Studies
D. Hite, Melodious Studies (Book 1 easier, Book 2 more challenging)
S. Rascher, 24 Intermezzi
H. Voxman, Rubank: Selected Studies
All undergraduate applicants will be asked to sight read.
Graduate audition info
Prepare major, harmonic minor, and chromatic scales, full range style. Applicants will be asked to play a few scale selections in their audition.
Memorization is required. Scales will be evaluated for tone quality, polish, and evenness in addition to tempo.
Prepare three (3) works: two (2) contrasting selections from the traditional repertoire as well as one (1) selection from the contemporary repertoire (works written after circa 1980). Overall, approximately 25-30 minutes of music (equivalent to a BM recital) should be programmed. Other non-listed pieces of similar quality and rigor are welcomed.
Traditional Repertoire examples:
R. Boutry, Divertimento
Dahl, Concerto
F. Decruck, Sonate en ut#
A. Desenclos, Prelude, Cadence, et Finale
P.M. Dubois, Concerto
L.E. Larsson, Concerto
I. Gotkovsky, Brillance
K. Husa, Elegie et Rondeau
J. Ibert, Concertino da Camera
H. Tomasi, Concerto
Contemporary Repertoire (after ca. 1980) examples:
W. Albright, Sonata
L. Berio, Sequenza IXb
D. Chang, Two Preludes
C. Dundee, Star Bits
S. Garrop, Tantrum
C. Lauba, Neuf Études
D. Maslanka, Sonata
M. Shrude, Kantada
J. Tower, Wings
T. Yoshimatsu, Fuzzy Bird Sonata
All graduate applicants will be asked to sight read.
What financial aid opportunities are available?
Undergraduate financial aid
The Wanda L. Bass School of Music is proud to offer robust music scholarships for applicants. Music scholarships are awarded based on quality of audition. Oklahoma City University also offers stackable academic scholarships for applicants (GPA 3.0 and higher)
Music scholarships and academic scholarships can stack to cover up to 100% of tuition!
Oklahoma City University annually awards more than $34 million in aid! More info about undergraduate scholarship opportunities can be found here: https://www.okcu.edu/paying-for-ocu/types-of-assistance/first-year-scholarships
Undergraduates may qualify for FAFSA-based grants, federal work study, and student employment, with opportunities to work convenient jobs in the Wanda L. Bass School of Music. More info about student employment can be found here: https://www.okcu.edu/current/financial-aid-office/student-employment
Graduate assistantships and financial aid
Classical Saxophone Performance Assistantship
Work with Dr. Heaney with duties as assigned, including directing the Oklahoma Saxophone Ensemble, performing in the graduate saxophone quartet, and assisting with studio logistics and teaching.
Includes a tuition waiver and small stipend. No minimum hours per week, duties are primarily performance-based.
Jazz Saxophone Performance Assistantship
Work with Dr. Heaney with duties as assigned, including performing in the OCU jazz ensemble and leading the section development throughout the year, perform in the graduate saxophone quartet.
Includes a tuition waiver and small stipend. No minimum hours per week, duties are primarily performance-based.
Ensemble Performance Assistantship
Perform in OCU’s large ensembles as assigned, perform in the graduate saxophone quartet, other duties as assigned.
Includes a full tuition waiver. No minimum hours per week, duties are primarily performance-based.
In addition to assistantships, scholarship awards for up to full tuition are available.
Current students are encouraged to take advantage of the School of Music’s Burton Music Competition Fund, which provides support for qualified students traveling to competitions. Additional funding support for projects and other special accomplishments is possible via petition.