Saxophonists in Spanish professional music conservatories and their move into the professional market

Abstract

The inclusion of the saxophone as a wind instrument at music conservatories, under Spanish Decree 2618/1966, marked an important step forward for the saxophone and saxophonists, making it possible to receive specialist teaching at new conservatories (Organic Law 8/1985). This new situation consolidated the saxophone and study content under an educational plan that would allow its artistic and specialist quality as an instrument with a clear teaching syllabus, adapted to professional music teaching (Organic Law 1/1990) The purpose of this paper is to summarize the path of a saxophonist from the beginning of their musical experience, overlapping with learning processes as a student at a professional music conservatory, alongside their development and growth as a musician until joining the employment market. This has been done, by indirect observation and through a content analysis to identify the learning characteristics, the saxophonist at a music conservatory during the professional training stage in saxophone. Key conclusion include: 1) the current job market requires saxophonists to be versatile, 2) experimental developments in the sound of the saxophone has proven directly proportional to the evolution of the instrument both in terms of manufacture and range of products, 3) an educational overhaul of saxophone teaching in professional music conservatories in Spain is necessary, in order to incorporate diversification of music types, and 4) conservatories need to have tutors specializing in a range of musical styles (classical, jazz, flamenco, etc.) in order to prepare students for all areas of the employment market.