rose street saxo-fest
Get ready for the inaugural Rose Street Saxo-Fest, where middle and high school students come together to create saxophone magic! 🎷 Join us at Almeta Crawford High School for an immersive experience, designed to mimic the excitement of a region band clinic, but with a twist – we're all about saxophone chamber music. At Saxo-Fest, you'll dive into new musical pieces alongside familiar faces and new friends, collaborating to craft a stellar program in record time.
Under the guidance of expert instructors, you'll receive personalized coaching to elevate your saxophone technique and performance skills to new heights. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, there's something for everyone at Saxo-Fest.🎶🎷
June 10 - 13, 2024
8Am - 12 pm
Almeta Crawford High School
801 Caldwell Ranch Blvd, Rosharon, TX 77583
Here's what you can expect:
🎵 Supportive instruction from highly qualified professional musicians 🎵
🎷 Masterclasses crafted to elevate your skills and wow your pals! 🎷
🎶 Saxophone quartet coaching and jaw-dropping performances 🎶
👫 Musical adventures with new friends and inspiring teachers 👫
🎉 Perform with a massive saxophone ensemble and feel the thrill! 🎉
🎧 Quality recordings of your epic performances to treasure forever 🎧
Daily Schedule
(subject to updates!)
7:45 a.m. Arrival and warm up
8:00 a.m. Saxophone Ensemble
9:00 a.m. Quartet Coaching
10:00 a.m. Masterclass
11:00 a.m. Saxophone Ensemble or Quartet Coaching
12:00 p.m. Dismissal
Join us for the 2024 Rose Street Saxo-Fest, where you'll hone your craft, make lifelong memories, and unleash your musical potential! 🌟🎷
Limited Enrollment
Limited Enrollment
Meet your teachers
Nicholas Bissen
Owner and Operator of the Rose Street Saxophone Room, Nicholas Bissen, is an explosion of energy and motivation in the classroom. His students are active members of their band and music communities, performing in competitive recitals, placing in All-State ensembles, and winning concerto competitions. Nicholas has been on faculty for Harris County Community College and Stephen F. Austin State University, currently maintains a full teaching studio, and frequently collaborates with HISD’s High School for Performing and Visual Arts, and the American Festival for the Arts. As an active member of Houston’s vibrant performance community, he has performed with Musiqa, DACAMERA, and is currently producing a performance and recording of new music for saxophone and piano by Nicky Sohn through a grant by the Houston Arts Alliance.
Dr. Matthew Castner
Dr. Matthew Castner was recently named Assistant Professor of Saxophone/Music Industry at Boise State University. Recent performance highlights include a trip to Moscow, Russia to perform James Whitbourn’s Son of God Mass with the Ex Oriente Lux Chamber Choir, a collaborative performance with inmates at the Lee Correctional Institute and a saxophone quartet tour of Helsinki, Finland. As a chamber musician, Dr. Castner is a founding member of the Horn/Saxophone duo PIVOT, a group dedicated to promoting perspective shifts in their audiences through exposure to newly commissioned works. Their debut album “terraform” is now streaming on all major platforms.
Dr. Castner’s performances and teaching are exemplary - we are so excited to welcome him back to Texas!
Jaymee Lamprecht
Students in Jaymee’s studio are heavy hitters in the Houston scene, with regular appearances in All-Region, All-State, and in the Houston Underground competition. When she’s not empowering the next generation of saxo-greats, You can find Jaymee performing regularly with Tony’s Lil Big Band across Houston. Jaymee’s teaching takes her all across Houston’s metro area, with studios in Fort Bend, Klein, Kingwood, and Tomball.
Jaymee is constantly bringing her students to new heights, and we are lucky to have her on our team!
Jason Finnels
Currently in his 14th year of teaching, Mr. Finnels is proud to serve as the very first Director of Bands at Almeta Crawford High School in Fort Bend ISD. Musicians under Mr. Finnels’s direction consistently receive high honors and distinction, such as Commended Winner in the National Wind Band Mark of Excellence Competition, finalist at the North Texas Festival of Distinction, and selection to perform in the 2023 Music for All National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2022-2023, Mr. Finnels was named the Ronald Thornton Middle School Teacher of the Year and also selected as one of five Finalists for Fort Bend ISD's Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Students are consistently inspired to thrive under Mr. Finnels’s direction, we are thrilled to welcome him to the 2024 Rose Street Saxo-Fest!
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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Students who have had at least one year of saxophone instruction, and are between the ages of 11 - 18.
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June 10 - 13, Monday through Thursday from 8am-12pm. The final Concert is Thursday the 13th at 6:30pm. All events take place at Almeta Crawford High School in Sienna.
801 Caldwell Ranch Blvd, Rosharon, TX 77583
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Instruction will be in small groups of 4-6 players, and in a large group with everyone in attendance.
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Yes! If you are interested in playing in a quartet with someone, please indicate it in your audition recording form.
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You will be asked to fill out a registration form upon checkout. All details, including contact information, t-shirt size, emergency contact, and relevant medical information can be submitted there.
Register by adding “2024 Saxo-Fest” to your cart.
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When you register, you will receive instructions to the email address you submit in your form. Recordings are due June 1st.
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We understand that summer happens! If your plans change, and you cancel before May 31st, you will receive a full refund. Cancellations after May 31st are non-refundable.