Sapphire Catherine McMichael

Alto Saxophone Feature
Solo Alto Saxophone with Band
Number of Players:Standard + 1
Copyright:2003
Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon 1/2
Eb Clarinet
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2/3
Bb Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Solo Alto Saxophone
Bb Trumpet 14
F Horn 14
Trombone 1/2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (optional)
Timpani
Percussion 1 (snare drum, congas)
Percussion 2 (bass drum, claves, 2 woodblocks, cowbell, tambourine)
Percussion 3 (triangle, chimes, guiro, agogo bells)
Percussion 4 (tambourine, cabasa, maracas)
Percussion 5 (chimes, suspended cymbal, hi-hat)
"Sapphire" is a one-movement concerto for alto saxophone and concert band or wind ensemble, commissioned by Mr. Lynn Klock, Professor of Saxophone at the University of Massachussetts at Amherst. It consists of three connected sections: the fast opening section is full of energy and edgy intensity; the second is a meditative ballad in improvisatory style, linked by a cadenza to the third section, which is a lively salsa, giving the percussion section a real workout. The themes of all the sections are reunited in the coda of the piece, as it culminates in a long trill by the solo saxophone, with instruments gradually added for a noisy, celebratory climax. The piece was composed entirely during the month of September 2000, and the title Sapphire refers to September's birthstone.