OCU SAXOPHONE STUDIO
Saxophone Excellence in the Heart of OKC
The Oklahoma City University Saxophone Studio is home to high-achieving students of diverse backgrounds. Students support each other and create a studio environment with a strong supportive family feel. A hotspot for crossover opportunities and collaboration, OCU saxophonists will play classical, jazz, contemporary, chamber music, and can pursue secondary areas of focus such as woodwind doubling, vocal ensembles, piano, or composition. OCU SaxoStars have performed throughout the country in competitions, professional touring theater pits, the US Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, North American Saxophone Alliance conferences, and more.
OCU’s SaxoStar Alumni Find Success!
Gigging and teaching throughout the region
Active in competitions and festivals (Vandoren Emerging Artist, MTNA, OCU Concerto Competition, Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, SHE: Festival of Women in Music, NASA regional and biennial conferences, College Music Society, etc.)
Performing in pits with professional nationally touring music theater productions (Chicago, Little Women, A Christmas Story, Addams Family, Music Man, The Rockettes at Radio City, and more)
Acceptances and full funding to competitive graduate music programs (Hartt, NEC, UCLA, BGSU, Peabody, and others)
Working in excellent public school and collegiate teaching positions
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Individual 1-on-1 Lessons
Weekly one-on-one lessons focus on building strong fundamentals in tone, technique, and musical interpretation across a wide range of repertoire. Students develop effective practice habits, critical listening skills, and artistic independence. Repertoire and instruction are individualized to support each student’s unique interests and career goals. Each lesson is assessed based upon evidence of preparation and weekly progress; consistent practice is required from every student to succeed. Every OCU saxophonist studies with Dr. Heaney for their entire degree – no students are assigned to a graduate assistant!
Weekly Studio Class
All saxophone students meet for weekly studio classes. In this collaborative environment, students perform, share constructive feedback, and learn from one another as well as Dr. Heaney. Emphasis is placed on developing confidence, refining performance skills, and engaging in thoughtful discussion. Studio class topics may include extended techniques, audition preparation, orchestral excerpts, pedagogy, peer-teaching opportunities, reedworking, and professional development. Guest artists often visit during studio class to share masterclasses, clinics, or other special topics.
Studio Activities & Ensembles
Saxophone duos, trios, quartets, and saxophone choir
Studio solo and chamber music recitals each semester
Off-campus performances and teaching gigs
Attend and perform at North American Saxophone Alliance, Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, and other conferences
Annual OCU Saxophone Day (fall)
Oklahoma Saxophone Ensemble (spring)
Award-winning OCU Wind Philharmonic & Wind Ensemble
OCU Jazz Orchestra with Vince Norman and jazz combo groups
Composition Studio (Project 21) collaborations and premieres
Guest Artists
OCU SaxoStars benefit from masterclasses, coachings, extra lessons, and professional networking opportunities with world-class guest artists each year!
2025-26:
Carrie Koffman, Allen Cordingley, Chika Inoue, and Reese Burgan
2024-25:
Nicki Roman, Gail B. Levinsky, and Johnny Salinas
2023-24:
John Sampen, Geoff Landman, Alexis Seah, and Clay Steiner
Interested in a free trial lesson and campus visit?
Have other questions?
Please send me an email at jheaney@okcu.edu!
ADMISSIONS & AUDITION INFO
Undergraduate Programs
BM Instrumental Performance
BM Instrumental Music Education
BM Multiple Woodwinds (new for Fall 2026!)
BM Music Composition
BA Music (designed for double majors!)
BA Music + Pre-Law Studies
BA Music + Pre-Med Studies
Non-major scholarship auditions
Graduate Programs
MM Instrumental Performance
MM Multiple Woodwind Performance
MM Music Composition
MM Conducting (wind, orchestral, choral)
How do I apply?
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Review your specific degree program’s audition requirements, below.
Auditions can occur in person on a variety of audition dates (fall and spring semesters), on alternative dates by appointment, or remotely via video submission on Acceptd.
100% of students admitted to the School of Music receive a music scholarship!
What music should I prepare for my audition?
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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.
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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.
Jazz excerpts are enthusiastically welcomed but not required unless pursuing the Jazz Graduate Assistantship slot.
What financial aid opportunities are available?
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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-type grants, need-based aid, 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
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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.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Oklahoma City University’s Wanda L. Bass School of Music is a close-knit community of over 350 students. Creativity, excellence, and opportunity converge in over 250 performances each year, ranging from solo recitals to full-scale choral and orchestral works, as well as six opera and music theater productions. A NASM Accredited All-Steinway School, we offer exceptional faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and creative resources to prepare artists for vibrant careers in music and education. OCU music alumni excel across the musical spectrum as performers, educators, and composers, with some earning the industry’s highest honors including Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Awards.
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