As tenor saxophonist with the Apollo Saxophone Quartet (est.1985), occasional tenor saxophone soloist, composer, and Tutor of Saxophone & Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester, UK), I have witnessed in the last forty years the growing number of works that have been written for the ‘contemporary classical’ tenor saxophone.
The frustration was always that individual pieces tended to be well kept secrets, written for a specific player, in a specific country, and that it was a problem recommending repertoire for tenor saxophone to students & finding repertoire for recitals. This frustration is no more, with the creation of the Tenor Saxophone Index in 2012, an online resource where performers, teachers & students alike may access information about hundreds of pieces that have been composed for tenor saxophone.
In 2011 I was a recipient of a coveted RNCM Teaching Award which has enabled this project to be realised. Since the World Saxophone Congress in Thailand in 2009 the intention was to officially launch the Tenor Saxophone Index at the WSC XVI in St Andrews, Scotland, in July 2012, which happened and was a resounding success. Thank you to all of you that spoke with the TSi team at our trade stand at WSC, and for the on-going repertoire suggestions and additions to the TSi!
The years 2009-2012 saw dialogue between myself, Matt London & Jenni Watson regarding the Tenor Saxophone Index. Both are RNCM graduates and ex-students of mine, both very talented saxophonists and composers who have created their own musical identities and careers, and both of whom share the passion for the tenor saxophone. From 2012 to 2024 Matt was lead developer of the TSi for which I am very grateful.
In 2024 the American saxophonist Drew Hosler became the lead developer of the TSi. Drew has already commissioned many works for the tenor saxophone, giving numerous world premieres, and came at the recommendation of Tim McAllister.
The TSi is a resource which relies on composers and performers updating us with information about new works composed for the tenor saxophone. Please spread the word amongst saxophonists, word of mouth is the best and most practical form of promotion.
Andy Scott
November 2024