Events every sax player must know
Key Events to Attend in 2024!
Welcome to Odisei Music’s latest blog post! In this symphony of insights, we’ll take you on a journey through the key happenings in the saxophone world in 2024. From prestigious conferences to global festivals, Odisei Music is set to be there at gatherings that resonate with music, innovation, and the universal love for the saxophone.
Music destinationsÂ
Odisei Music will be covering these different events in 2024:
- NASA Conference:Â Stillwater, Oklahoma (US)
- Andorra Sax Fest:Â Our fifth edition!
- AB Workshops with Jay Metcalf:Â Manchester with the founder of Better Sax!
- European Saxophone Congress: Odisei Music will be heading to the beautiful city of Trento.
- Calizzano Sax Fest:Â Our second edition of this small and lovely fest in Italy!
1. NASA Conference (US):
Our journey starts at the NASA Conference. Themed “Seek and Discover,” it welcomes saxophonists from all backgrounds to explore new artistic paths. Odisei Music is thrilled to feature the Travel Sax2 at NASA, with the expertise of Grammy-nominated and Latin Grammy-winning saxophonist Lorenzo Ferrero. These conferences are a great space to build community and offer a dynamic exploration of saxophone artistry for performers, researchers, students, teachers, technicians, and music lovers in general.
- Date: Thursday, March 14 – Sunday, March 16, 2024.
- Location: Oklahoma State University.
- Website: NASA Conference Website
It’s a great opportunity to connect with saxophonists from all walks of life whether they groove to jazz, classical, or something funky. The conference is a vibrant mix of performers, researchers, students, teachers, tech experts, and creators who express their stories through the saxophone.
2. Andorra Sax Fest:
And guess what? The Andorra Sax Fest is back, and it’s turning things up to eleven! This year’s lineup is a record-breaker with nearly 200 talented participants ready to set the stage on fire. Can you believe they got a whopping 180 video applications? After some tough decisions, they’ve narrowed it down to 144 saxophonists who are all set to bring the house down.
- Date:Â Â Thursday, March 28 – Friday, April 5, 2024.
- Location: Andorra.
- Website: Andorra Sax Fest Website
At Odisei Music, we’re excited to share that we’re coming back for the fourth time and can’t wait to reconnect with this amazing community of talented artists. But this edition is not just about the numbers; it’s about creating a symphony of cultures, styles, and saxophonic excellence. As the vibrant streets of Andorra la Vella prepare to resonate with the saxophone melodies. 🎷
3. BetterSax Level-Up Weekend:Â
Next on the itinerary is the BetterSax Level-Up Weekend! AB Workshops and the Saxophone Orchestra Manchester (SOM) present a sax-filled days with Jay Metcalf Packed with workshops on improvisation, ensemble playing, and advanced techniques, it’s the perfect weekend for saxophonists of all levels, from beginners to advanced players.
- Date:Â Â Saturday, May 11 – Sunday, May 12, 2024.
- Location: Manchester
- Website: AB Workshop Website
The weekend is full of workshops exploring improvisation, playing together, rhythm techniques, and advanced skills, all aimed at making the saxophone journey better for musicians.
Designed for everyone, from beginners (grade 1-3) to intermediates (grade 4-6) and advanced players (grade 7-8+), the BetterSax Level-Up Weekend provides a fantastic opportunity for saxophonists to explore sessions tailored to their skill level. It’s a chance to enhance your saxophone skills in a setting that suits your expertise.
Additionally, Odisei proudly sponsors The BetterSax Level-Up Weekend, joining esteemed contributors like Henri Selmer Paris, JodyJazz, Studio Bricks, JJ Babbitt, Marca France, Tomplay, Groovy Rascal, and sax.co.uk.
4. European Saxophone Congress
Odisei Music will be heading to the beautiful city of Trento, Italy, for the European Saxophone Congress. This highly anticipated event will take place from July 15th to 20th, and Odisei Music will be there in full swing. 🎷✨ The European Saxophone Congress is the ultimate gathering for saxophonists worldwide. It’s a golden opportunity to participate in a wealth of workshops, masterclasses, and performances. Whether you’re a professional, an aspiring student, or just a saxophone enthusiast, this congress is the perfect place to connect, learn, and be inspired.
Nestled in the heart of the Italian Alps, Trento is a city rich in history and culture. Known for its stunning medieval architecture, vibrant piazzas, and breathtaking mountain views, Trento offers a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. While you’re there for the congress, take some time to explore the city’s charming streets, visit the iconic Buonconsiglio Castle, or enjoy a relaxing stroll along the Adige River. Trento’s unique blend of Italian and Austrian influences makes it a fascinating destination for visitors.
- Date: July 15th to 20th, 2024
- Location: Trento, Italy
- Website: European Saxophone Congress
Exciting News for Saxophonists:
But wait, there’s more! The organization behind the Trento Congress is also hosting an incredible competition for saxophonists—the “Alpen Classical Sax Competition.” This prestigious contest is designed to highlight the best of the best in the saxophone community and features several stages:
- Online Preliminary Round: Running from now until September, this is your first step to fame.
- Final Rounds: Mark your calendars for November when the finalists will compete.
For those ready to take on the challenge of the preliminary round, here are the required pieces:
- J.S. Bach, Suite No. 1, Prelude: You can play this with any saxophone, in any key.
- Jeanine Rueff, Sonata (2nd and 3rd movements): This piece is for solo alto saxophone.
This competition is a stellar opportunity to showcase your talent and gain international recognition. So, start practicing, and get ready!
5. Calizzano Sax Fest:
Our journey concludes (for now) at the Calizzano Sax Fest in Italy, a vibrant celebration of saxophone artistry in the charming setting of Calizzano. ðŸ 🎵
This year, Odisei Music is part of the Calizzano Sax Fest for the third time. In the heart of Calizzano, Sax Fest isn’t just an event. Picture this: three awesome days filled with top-notch masterclasses, cool meetings, and concerts that will jazz up your sax game.
- Date: Friday, Agust 02 – Sunday, Agust 04, 2024.
- Location: Calizzano, Italy.
- Website: Calizzano Sax Fest Website
Stay Tuned for More Musical adventures with Odisei!
Beyond these events, at Odisei Music, we’re on a mission to make music accessible to all. And what better moment to showcase the Travel Sax2 – the world’s lightest and smallest electronic saxophone? It’s not just an instrument; we believe it’s a game-changer, giving musicians the freedom to play whenever and wherever inspiration strikes. ðŸŒâœ¨
Stay tuned for updates, behind-the-scenes fun, and the latest saxophonic adventures from Odisei Music. Until then, let’s continue to embrace the beauty of music together, one note at a time.
Explore more content!
- “Top 5 gadgets for Sax Players†📚
- “Electronic VS Classic Saxophone†📚
- “Electronic Saxophones, the ultimate guide!†📚
-  “Travel Instruments, every musician must know” 📚
Happy reading!📚 🎵
Odisei Music Team 🎷