J S Bach ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

This is a demanding piece for saxophone ensemble, but worth the practice!
This arrangement is faithful to the original but contains a small cut in the
1st movement which makes it more appropriate for wind players.
(Grade 6-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample score

Pauline Gordon

A funky saxophone octet composed by Pauline Gordon, with a driving baritone sax bass line.  Lots of rhythmic interest interwoven through
the other lines.  Good for counting! (Grade 5-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score

Pauline Gordon

A fast blues-based one movement composition by Pauline Gordon
that just keeps ‘chugging along’. (Grade 5-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score

Camille Saint-Saëns ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the famous ‘Danse Macabre’ by Camille Saint-Saëns. (Grade 5-8)
[SSAATTBB]

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W.A. Mozart ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

This is an arrangement of the famous overture to the opera
‘Don Giovanni’ by Mozart.  It works especially well for
saxophone players and there is plenty of interest in all parts.
(Grades 6-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample score

Melanie Thorne

A relaxed opening develops into some driving and exciting rhythmic
elements – fun for all sections. (Grade 6-8+)
[SopraninoSSAAATTTBBBass]

Sample Score

Georges Bizet ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of one of Bizet’s best know compositions.  This is a very satisfying piece to play and is particularly popular in concerts. (Grade 5-8)
[SSAATTBB]

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Percy E Fletcher ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the organ piece ‘Festal Offertorium’ by Percy Fletcher. (Grade 5-6)
[SAAATTTB]

Sample Score

Pauline Gordon

A Lively, syncopated composition with a Scottish feel to the music,
reflecting the time spent by the composer at the Gartmore
Saxophone course. Grade 6-8
[SSAATTBB]

Sample score

W A Mozart ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the ‘sublime’ Adagio from Mozart’s famous
‘Gran Partita’. (Grade 5-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score

W A Mozart ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the Finale from Mozart’s famous ‘Gran Partita’.

(Grade 6-8) [SSAATTBB]

Sample score

W A Mozart ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the Minuet from Mozart’s famous ‘Gran Partita’.
(Grade 5-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score

Gioacchino Rossini ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

This overture is from an early opera by Rossini.  It is typical of Rossini’s
lighthearted yet energetic style.  The original was forward-looking
with the instruction for the Second Violins to tap their bows on their
music stands.  In this arrangement, the tapping is replaced with ‘key taps’. (Grade 5-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample score

Melanie Thorne

A fusion of styles with inspiration taken from the diversity of SW
Scotland where ‘The Wickerman’ was filmed. (Grade 6-8+)
[SopraninoSSAAATTTBBass]

Sample Score

Claude Debussy ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

‘La Cathédrale Engloutie’ is one of the preludes included in Debussy’s first volume of piano preludes published in 1910.  There are many specific techniques that are required by pianists and these are replicated, as far as possible, by the different saxophones.  The original requires a complete exploration of the entire range of the piano – this has been slightly reduced due to the ranges of the wind instruments,  however, it is still very effective. (Grade 5-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample score

Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

A not-so irreverent arrangement of the 1st movement of Beethoven’s
5th Symphony.  It is very recognizable with some rock-style sections
and an interesting baritone part. (Grade 6-8) See reviews.
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score

Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the famous Post Horn Galop. (Grade 4-6)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score

Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the famous Post Horn Galop. (Grade 4-6)
[SopraninoSAAATTTBBass]

Sample Score

Traditional ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the famous Post Horn Galop. (Grade 4-6)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score

Pauline Gordon

A ‘cool swing’ composition by Pauline Gordon.  Its feline characteristics
depict the unpredictable.  As the composer says, where she lives
“the cats who come to pay a visit, eat some treats and stroll
nonchalantly off down the lane”. Grade 6-8
[SSAATTBB]

Sample score

Melanie Thorne

A Scottish influenced composition in true gaelic style with a mixture of rhythms and a rendition of ‘Hieland Laddie’ in the middle. (Grade 5-8)
[SopraninoSSAAAAATTTBB]

Sample Score

Melanie Thorne

A two movement work exploiting the sonorities of the different
instruments.  The second movement is a fast, quasi Gaelic
structure, with plenty of time changes to keep the players on the run!
(Grade 6-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score

Marin Marais – Arranged by Melanie Thorne

‘The Bells of Sainte-Geneviève du Mont de Paris’ is a work by Marin
Marais written in 1723, originally  for viol, violin and harpsichord with
basso continuo.  The original is written as a passacaglia or chaconne.
This arrangement for saxophone octet is a slightly shortened version
of the original with rhythmic and melodic interest in all parts.
Considering this work is nearly 300 years old, this ensemble gives
the music a surprisingly contemporary sound. (Grade 6-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score

Gustav Holst ~ Arranged by Elizabeth Drury

An arrangement of Holst’s complete suite by Elizabeth Drury.
This work consists of four movements with a duration of
approximately 16 minutes. (Grade 6-8+)
[SSAATTBB]

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George Gershwin ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

A different arrangement of this well-known song by George Gershwin –
it includes interesting parts for all instruments and is a popular
item for concerts. (Grade 6-8+)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score

William Boyce ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

An arrangement of the very popular Symphony No. IV by
William Boyce.  This is a very tuneful work and would be a
popular item for concerts.  The key is compatible with the
Clarinet Choir arrangement. (Grade 5-7)
[SSAATTBB opt. Timps]

Sample Score

Peter Warlock ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

‘Basse Danse’, ‘Pieds-en-L’Air’ and ‘Mattachins’. (Grade 5-6)
[SAAATTTB]

Sample Score

Leos Janacek ~ Arranged by Melanie Thorne

The first and fourth movements from Janacek’s ‘Sinfonietta’ have been arranged here.  They are the most popular movements from this work,
and suit this smaller ensemble. (Grade 6-8)
[SSAATTBB]

Sample Score