PA Governor's school audition pieces

[Vortex]

I'm trying to get into the PA Governor's School of Excellence, which basically is five weeks of intensive music instruction by some of PA's finest. The basis of selection is a self-recorded CD containing two songs totalling no more than ten minutes. I'm up against not only other alto sax players, but also other instrumentalists, so the pieces I pick have to be very musical and impressive while also demonstrating some solid technical ability as well. It's a really competitive audition, and I only have one month to do everything (rehearse the piece, record it, submit, etc).

Here's where you guys come in. I have no idea what genre of music to pick from (classical, jazz, bebop, etc), but I'm assuming mostly classical. Therefore, I was thinking about doing the Creston sonata and a jazz solo transcription like Cannonball's Love for Sale. I need some solo literature that demonstrates technical fluency but is still musically meaningful and captivating, songs that really show off the saxophone to its full potential (remember, I'm up against other instruments which generally have a stronger foothold in this than the sax). With my heavy practice regime I can learn pretty much anything thrown at me in the month I have, and I'm already a good ways along with the Creston. I need some advice on what style of music I should focus on and which pieces to do, so that I can get to work, otherwise I'm sticking with those two songs I mentioned.

Thanks in advance for your responses, btw sorry if this is viewed as a double post (i posted in another board) but nobody looks there :cry:

[Bnatural]

first off good luck... and second off.... I fully plan on beating you... lol kidding (kind of)... whatever you play make sure its something that both shows that you can play like right on..... (robotic i guess).... and play a bit that shows you can be musical....(like the jazz).... I'm actually thinking of doing a jazz piece for my clarinet audition..... lol...... good luck

[gary]

Have you considered the Debussy "Rapsodie" ?

[Vortex]

Gary - I've heard of that piece but I'm not really familiar with it. Would it be a good pick for a situation like this, or is it a piece whose technical challenges can really only be appreciated by saxophonists (like the Dahl)? I don't want to pick a piece on the sole basis of technically difficulty: it should be and sound complicated, but whatever challenges are in the piece should be fully embodied by the song's musical nature, not just lead to a technical show-off (4th mvt Eccles, anyone?). I doubt they're going to have saxophone virtuosos listening to these tapes; more likely they'll be closer to the college music professor level at best. Let me know which category the Debussy would fall into because I might consider doing it.

[homemakerjeb]

Good luck all. A couple years back I attended PA Governor's school and had one of the best summers of my life. I believe I played some sort of Handel transcription and maybe something else. Even though I had prepared some jazz stuff, I wasn't asked to play it. Again, best of luck!

[Razzy]

Be careful. The creston sonata takes about 10 minutes if played at the right tempos.