Concerto for Alto Saxophone
(2026) | 23 minutes
Jointly commissioned by Michigan State University (Kevin Sedatole), University of Arkansas (Chris Knighten), Arizona State University (Jason Caslor), Baylor University (Eric Wilson), Florida State University (Patrick Dunnigan), University of Georgia (Nicholas Enrico Williams), University of Illinois (Kevin Geraldi), Indiana University (Donald J. McKinney), Louisiana State University (Damon Talley), University of Michigan (Jason Fettig), University of Missouri–Kansas City (Steven D. Davis), University of Oklahoma (Caroline Hand), University of Texas Austin (Jerry Junkin), Texas State University (Caroline Beatty), and University of Wisconsin (Scott Teeple).
LEVEL Grade 5
SCORING solo alto saxophones in E-flat, piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, clarinet in Eb, 3 clarinets in Bb, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 2 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 3 trumpets in Bb, 4 horns in F, 2 trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, contrabass, timpani, percussion (4 players):
1: xylophone, vibraphone
2: marimba, snare drum, mark tree, bell tree, rainstick
3: cymbals (suspended, crash), woodblocks, triangle
4: bass drum
PREMIERE 19 March 2026, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, East Lansing, Michigan. Joe Lulloff, solo saxophone, with the Michigan State University Wind Symphony conducted by Kevin Sedatole.
Available soon
SAMPLE PAGE | RENTAL | PURCHASE SCORE
Watch
Coming soon
Programme Note
My saxophone concerto draws inspiration from architecture—not only from the designs of different cultures, but from the creative process itself. From the bold to the lyrical and the playful, the piece unfolds in three architecturally inspired movements:
I. Concrete Love
This is my love letter to the saxophone. Its large-scale form gives the feeling of standing before a soaring monument—bold and emotional, yet intimate at times. Two contrasting themes, one slow and one fast, are developed through variations across the movement. Though it reveals many personalities, it is constructed with a singular vision.
II. Courtyard
Slow with a gentle pulse, this music reminds me of sitting on an old bench in a lush courtyard—an oasis of green in the heart of a bustling metropolis.
III. Arcade
Arcade plays with its dual meanings here: strolling through a series of arches and columns—a Roman arcade—in a spirited chase; and, like an arcade game, the soloist and the ensemble engage in an energetic dialogue, shifting between cooperation and playful rivalry. Time to level up!
Concerto for Alto Saxophone was jointly commissioned by the universities of Michigan State (Kevin Sedatole), Arkansas (Chris Knighten), Arizona State (Jason Caslor), Baylor (Eric Wilson), Florida State (Patrick Dunnigan), Georgia (Nicholas Enrico Williams), Illinois (Kevin Geraldi), Indiana (Donald J. McKinney), Louisiana State (Damon Talley), Michigan (Jason Fettig), Missouri–Kansas City (Steven D. Davis), Oklahoma (Caroline Hand), Texas (Jerry Junkin), Texas State (Caroline Beatty), and Wisconsin (Scott Teeple). I am especially grateful to Kevin Sedatole for leading this project, and to the outstanding saxophonists and commissioning partners for their artistry and commitment.
©Zhou Tian