At a Glance
Instrumentation: Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 1 Oboe, 1 Bassoon, 2 Bb Clarinets, Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone Bari Saxophone
2 Trumpets, 3 Horns in F, 3 Trombones, Euphonium, Tuba
5 Percussion: High Hat, Bass Drum, Snare drum Tom-Toms, Tam-tam, Cymbal, Vibraphone, Crotales (high octave only), Tambourine, Bongos, Cabasa, and Guiro
Duration: ~13 minutes
Difficulty: (Solo part) Grade 6. (Ensemble parts) Grade 3/3.5
Delivered:
Score and parts: electronically by [Date] December 15th, 2025?
Piano Reduction: [Date] March 1st, 2026?
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All consortium members will have their name displayed on the inside score cover in perpetuity and exclusivity of performance until [date]
Current Consortium Members
In Depth
Philosophy:
When Andrew Gaffey approached me for this collaboration, we discussed how a deficiency of the current Saxophone literature is that present concerti have accompaniment parts of a high level of difficulty. This creates an issue where, while many of these works are exceptional, they are programmed far less than they deserve, because many ensembles aren’t able to execute them. This situation is even more frustrating because the Saxophone is an incredible solo instrument. As a result, this concerto was imagined as a work that would contribute a compelling addition to the repertoire while being approachable by a greater variety of ensembles.
Structure:
At a large-scale view, the arc of the piece will be the Hero’s Journey as articulated by Joseph Campbell in his book “The Hero With a Thousand Faces.” While classic concerto style frames the soloist battling the accompanying ensemble, I imagine a protagonist overcoming struggles that are scored and personified by the accompaniment can lend to a more engaging and evocative narrative.
The work will be divided into 5 movements—2 longer ones framing 3 shorter ones. I intend to focus on styles that the Saxophone exceeds in and use an array of genres in order to allow the performer to explore the diverse palette of styles available to the instrument.
The current form is:
An agile, groovy Hip-Hop/Funk/Contemporary Classical opening movement; 2 short sections of intimate chamber music and an unaccompanied cadenza; and closing with a 80’s Rock Ballad.
About the Composer
Andrew McGowan is an award winning composer and contemporary performing artist based in Urbana, Illinois. His career has led him to work as a composer, conductor, performing artist, educator, athletic trainer, and brasswind repair technician. His works have been performed and recorded all over the United States.
Andrew strives to compose music that helps others to reconnect with what it means to feel alive. In his pursuit of a sound that says “I dare you“ he blends styles of the past and present, rigorously constructed form, intense rhythms, improvisatory melodies, contemporary playing techniques, modal tonalities, and often electronics. McGowan writes for musical ensembles of all sizes, film, podcasts, and contemporary media. Most recently his work has focused on Contemporary Chamber music, Jazz, and Cross-Cultural Improvised Music. In 2023 Andrew was an Imani Winds Emerging Composing Fellow, and was a featured Artist at Boneyard Arts Festival in 2024 and 2025.
He holds Masters Degrees from the University of Illinois, a Diploma from Minnesota State College Southeast, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University where his studies have included Music Composition, Tuba and Euphonium Performance, Band Instrument Repair, Conducting, and Music Education. His other interests include Visual Art, Reading Fiction, History, Economics, Physiology, Psychology, and anything that gets him outside.
