Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Saxophone Ensemble program at Avon High School began in the fall of 2002 as an extra curricular ensemble, meeting once per week after school as a part of the winter chamber music program, and has developed into a large part of the saxophone curriculum at Avon. Karl Hartman, conductor of the ensemble and private saxophone instructor at Avon, has arranged a wide variety of wind ensemble, orchestral, vocal and electronic pieces for the group, and has been involved with the commission of new compositions and arrangements for saxophone ensemble. During the fall of 2012, Avon High School adapted one of its specialty woodwind classes ("Advanced Woodwinds" as listed in the Avon High School Program of Studies) into a dedicated saxophone ensemble class as part of the high school curriculum, one of the first of its kind in the high school setting. This class is available to any Avon High School student, with prior teacher approval, as long as the student is also signed up for a band class simultaneously.
There are two performing groups created from the saxophone ensemble class: the Saxophone Orchestra and the Saxophone Ensemble. The Saxophone Orchestra (20-21 members) utilizes a larger instrumentation of 3-4 Sopranos (sometimes including Sopranino), 8 Altos, 4 Tenors, 4 Baritones, and 1 Bass. This group typically performs transcriptions of band and orchestral pieces, as well as arrangements produced by the prominent Japanese saxophone ensemble, "Mi-Bemol." The instrumentation for this ensemble is based off of a slightly altered instrumentation of "Mi-Bemol." The Saxophone Ensemble (Up to 12 members) mostly utilizes the traditional French instrumentation of 1 Sopranino and 2 Sopranos (sometimes 3 Sopranos), 3 Altos, 3 Tenors, 2 Baritones, and 1 Bass, and is a subset of the Saxophone Orchestra. This ensemble traditionally performs original works for saxophone ensemble, and sometimes alters its instrumentation, based on the requirements of the literature. This group performs in the Indiana State School Music Association Solo and Ensemble contest at the District and State level, and has consistently received gold ratings at the State Solo and Ensemble Contest, twice receiving a perfect score.
Recent performances of the Saxophone Ensemble and Saxophone Orchestra include ISSMA Solo and Ensemble District and State events, annual performances at the Indiana University Audition weekend saxophone studio recital, and various Christmas concerts and Music Theater performances at Avon. Additionally, the ensemble has presented full length concerts in Avon annually from 2012-2015. At those concerts, the ensemble has been honored to perform with such distinguished saxophonists as Dr. Kenneth Tse from the University of Iowa, Dr. Otis Murphy from Indiana University, and Dr. Anna Marie Wytko from Kansas State University. Finally, the ensemble was selected to perform at the Indiana Music Educators Association State Conference in January 2014, and at the National Conference of the North American Saxophone Alliance in March of 2014, both of which being the first time that a high school saxophone ensemble was selected to perform at these prestigious events.
For pictures and more information about the ensemble, other performance videos, as well as comprehensive lists of arrangements and original works for saxophone ensemble, please visit: http://avonband.com/saxophoneensemble/, and follow us on Facebook (coming soon!).
Avon High School Saxophone Ensemble
Conductor's Bio
Karl Hartman graduated from East Noble High School in Kendallville, IN, in 1993. From 1993-2000, he attended the Indiana University School of Music, earning degrees of Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance in 1997, and Master of Music in Saxophone Performance in 2000, while studying with world renowned and distinguished saxophonist professor Dr. Eugene Rousseau. During his Master's Degree, Karl served as an Assistant Instructor of undergraduate saxophone students. While at IU, he also studied conducting with Robert Porco, Stephen Pratt, and Ray Cramer.
Karl began teaching private saxophone lessons at Avon during the fall of 2001, teaching lessons for grades 6-12. Since that time, Karl has developed the saxophone studio (usually between 50-60 students weekly) into one of the largest instrumental lesson studios in the corporation. He also teaches the saxophone ensemble class at Avon High School. Each year, during the chamber music season (Mid-November through early May), he organizes and coaches several smaller saxophone groups, including quartets, trios and sextets. Karl is also proud to serve as saxophone tech for the eleven-time State Champion and three-time National Champion Avon Marching Black and Gold.
Karl performs locally with the Indianapolis Saxophone Quartet, and is a Hal Leonard Recording Artist. Annually, he has served as an adjudicator for the Indiana State School Music Association District Solo and Ensemble contest since 2005, and for the State level Solo and Ensemble contest since 2008. He is a consultant for the ISSMA Group 1 Required list for Saxophone Music, and is a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance. In his spare time, Karl enjoys arranging pieces for his ensemble. Some of his recent arrangements include Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla (with Tim Schultz), Rolling Thunder, Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral, and the entire Lincolnshire Posy.
Karl lives in Brownsburg, IN, with his wonderful and endlessly patient wife, Jamie
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