Saxophone Lessons in Maryland
What saxophone lessons cost across Maryland, and how to find the right teacher.
Saxophone lesson prices across Maryland
A one-hour saxophone lesson in Maryland typically costs $68 to $108, and a half hour $36 to $59. Prices change noticeably from town to town. The Frederick area runs highest, up to $122 an hour.
Every town has two guides: a saxophone lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.
| Town | 30 minutes | One hour | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore area | |||
| Baltimore | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Columbia | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Ellicott City | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Glen Burnie | $35–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Dundalk | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Towson | $35–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Severn | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Bel Air South | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Odenton | $36–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Catonsville | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Annapolis | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Essex | $35–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Woodlawn | $36–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Severna Park | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Owings Mills | $35–$58 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Randallstown | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Pasadena | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Pikesville | $35–$57 | $66–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Middle River | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Eldersburg | $34–$55 | $63–$100 | LessonsCosts |
| Bel Air North | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Milford Mill | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Parkville | $36–$59 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Crofton | $36–$59 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Perry Hall | $35–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Ilchester | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Carney | $35–$58 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Lochearn | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Elkridge | $36–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Reisterstown | $36–$58 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| North Laurel | $36–$59 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Edgewood | $34–$56 | $64–$102 | LessonsCosts |
| Arnold | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Cockeysville | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Arbutus | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Westminster | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Rosedale | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Maryland City | $35–$58 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Lake Shore | $34–$56 | $64–$102 | LessonsCosts |
| Ferndale | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Aberdeen | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Parole | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Brooklyn Park | $35–$58 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Mays Chapel | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Rossville | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Havre de Grace | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Joppatowne | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Overlea | $35–$58 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Honeygo | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Riviera Beach | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Annapolis Neck | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Linthicum | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Fort Meade | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| White Marsh | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Bel Air | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Scaggsville | $35–$58 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Frederick area | |||
| Frederick | $38–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Waldorf | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Germantown | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Silver Spring | $40–$65 | $75–$119 | LessonsCosts |
| Gaithersburg | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Bethesda | $39–$64 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Rockville | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Bowie | $38–$62 | $71–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Aspen Hill | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Wheaton | $39–$64 | $73–$117 | LessonsCosts |
| North Bethesda | $39–$64 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Potomac | $38–$61 | $71–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Clinton | $37–$60 | $69–$110 | LessonsCosts |
| Olney | $38–$61 | $71–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Chillum | $40–$65 | $75–$119 | LessonsCosts |
| College Park | $39–$64 | $73–$117 | LessonsCosts |
| Montgomery Village | $39–$64 | $74–$117 | LessonsCosts |
| Clarksburg | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Laurel | $39–$64 | $73–$117 | LessonsCosts |
| South Laurel | $38–$63 | $72–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Ballenger Creek | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Fairland | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Fort Washington | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Greenbelt | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Landover | $39–$64 | $73–$117 | LessonsCosts |
| North Potomac | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Suitland | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Camp Springs | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Langley Park | $41–$66 | $76–$122 | LessonsCosts |
| Hyattsville | $39–$64 | $74–$117 | LessonsCosts |
| Beltsville | $38–$62 | $71–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Redland | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| East Riverdale | $40–$65 | $75–$119 | LessonsCosts |
| Seabrook | $39–$64 | $73–$117 | LessonsCosts |
| Oxon Hill | $38–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Damascus | $37–$60 | $69–$110 | LessonsCosts |
| Takoma Park | $40–$64 | $74–$118 | LessonsCosts |
| Calverton | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Adelphi | $39–$64 | $73–$117 | LessonsCosts |
| White Oak | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Glenmont | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Glassmanor | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Cloverly | $38–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Hillcrest Heights | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Bensville | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Summerfield | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Colesville | $38–$62 | $71–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Linganore | $38–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Accokeek | $35–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Lake Arbor | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Urbana | $37–$60 | $69–$110 | LessonsCosts |
| Kettering | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Flower Hill | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Glenn Dale | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Brock Hall | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Green Valley | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| New Carrollton | $40–$64 | $74–$118 | LessonsCosts |
| Westphalia | $37–$60 | $69–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Kemp Mill | $39–$64 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Rosaryville | $37–$60 | $69–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Largo | $38–$62 | $71–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Brandywine | $36–$58 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Travilah | $37–$59 | $68–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Lanham | $38–$63 | $72–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Mitchellville | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Friendly | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Walker Mill | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| La Plata | $37–$60 | $69–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Forestville | $38–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Hagerstown area | |||
| Hagerstown | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Halfway | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Lexington Park area | |||
| Lexington Park | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| California | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Other Maryland towns | |||
| Cambridge | $34–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Cumberland | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Easton | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Elkton | $34–$55 | $63–$100 | LessonsCosts |
| Ocean Pines | $34–$56 | $64–$102 | LessonsCosts |
| Salisbury | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
No Maryland town by that name yet. Lessons are live online, so you can still start from anywhere in Maryland.
Meet a Saxophone Teacher Before Starting Weekly Lessons
The free first lesson is a low-pressure way to meet the teacher, hear real-time saxophone feedback, and decide whether weekly live online lessons feel right for you or your child in Maryland.
- One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
- Weekly options for changing family calendars
- Build tone, reading, jazz, band, or audition skills
- Claim a free first 30-minute lesson
Find a Saxophone Teacher for Maryland Students
Browse saxophone teachers, compare availability, and start with a free first lesson before choosing weekly lessons in Maryland.
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How saxophone learning works in Maryland
How does saxophone fit school music in Maryland?
Maryland school band is the main school route for saxophone, and many districts begin instruction in fourth grade. Montgomery County Public Schools and Howard County Public School System both start in grade four; Prince George’s County Public Schools says most students begin instrumental music in fourth grade, while Anne Arundel County Public Schools offers band lessons to fourth- and fifth-graders at Brooklyn Park Elementary. Frederick County Public Schools also makes elementary band available in grades four and five, but Washington County Public Schools’ cited beginner offering is at Western Heights Middle School, and Wicomico County Public Schools starts its middle-school band in grade six. In Prince George’s County, parents generally provide instruments, with school-owned instruments available only in isolated cases.
When school music starts in Maryland districts
Who runs what for Maryland saxophonists?
Maryland’s student saxophone routes are shaped by the Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA), which runs auditions for nine All State Ensembles and a district-to-state Solo & Ensemble Festival. The Maryland Band Directors Association (MBDA), an MMEA component, supports band educators and helps guide student events, so a school band director is the practical link to the all-state nomination process. The Maryland State Music Teachers Association (MSMTA) offers competitions, festivals, recitals, and examinations through its network, giving students another route to perform and receive feedback beyond school honors.
Who runs what in Maryland
Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA)
- Runs
- Runs All State auditions and the district-to-state Solo & Ensemble Festival.
- For
- Maryland school music students; grade and school rules apply.
Maryland State Music Teachers Association (MSMTA)
- Runs
- Offers student competitions, festivals, recitals, and examinations.
- For
- Students seeking performance and assessment opportunities.
Maryland Band Directors Association (MBDA)
- Runs
- Supports band educators and helps guide student events.
- For
- Band educators and their students.
Maryland Choral Educators Association (MCEA)
- Runs
- Supports choral educators and helps guide student events.
- For
- Choral educators and their students.
Maryland Orchestra Directors Association (MODA)
- Runs
- Supports orchestra educators and helps guide student events.
- For
- Orchestra educators and their students.
Auditions and events in Maryland
How does a saxophonist reach Maryland's top student honors?
Maryland saxophonists have two main student honor routes: MMEA’s Junior Band or Senior Band auditions, and the district-to-state Solo & Ensemble Festival. For all-state, the school music educator nominates the student first, followed by caregiver registration; the 2026–27 senior audition is November 14, and junior ensemble and senior jazz auditions are November 21. Rosters are expected in early December. For Solo & Ensemble, a student in grades 6–12 first performs at a district festival and earns a Superior rating on grade 2–6 music. Qualifiers then register for the State Solo & Ensemble Festival, scheduled for May 15, 2027, at Towson University. The state deadline is March 17, with late registration through March 31.
The saxophone route in Maryland, step by step
- School nominationA school educator nominates the student before caregiver registration; the annual nomination window begins in mid-August.
- Caregiver registrationRegistration for All-State auditions typically runs from late September into mid-October, with a late window afterward.
- All-State auditionsSenior auditions are held in November, followed by early December roster announcements.
- State Solo & EnsembleQualifying students register in March and perform at Towson University in May.
The Maryland saxophone year
Maryland All State AuditionsMaryland Music Educators AssociationStart the piece Apr to Jul
MTNA Competitions — Maryland State CompetitionMaryland State Music Teachers AssociationStart the piece May to Aug
2027 State Solo & Ensemble FestivalMaryland Music Educators AssociationStart the piece Nov to Feb
Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent
What do auditions ask you to prepare?
For Maryland’s State Solo & Ensemble Festival, saxophonists choose music from the MMEA State Repertoire Lists and perform at the same grade level as their district piece. A composition may not exceed 10 minutes, and scales and sight-reading are not required. If the music has a published accompaniment, you must provide a live or recorded accompanist; without one, the rating drops by one level. Students can enter up to three events, and ensemble performers cannot be substituted at the state festival. Weekly lessons usually need three to six months to prepare an event piece securely.
What else is there to enter?
The Maryland State Music Teachers Association offers student competitions, festivals, recitals, and examinations, giving saxophonists options for performance and feedback beyond school honors. Adults can also consider the National Music Festival’s Saxophone Lab in Chestertown, scheduled for June 5–13, 2027, for saxophonists age 18 and older. It provides a focused summer opportunity without requiring a student to pursue a school competition route.
Saxophone events in Maryland, 2026–27
2027 State Solo & Ensemble Festival
Maryland Music Educators Association
- When
- May 15, 2027
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Grades 6–12; Maryland public, parochial, or independent school students who qualify at a district festival
Maryland All State Auditions
Maryland Music Educators Association
- When
- in-person auditions November 14 and 21, 2026
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Junior and senior high school students nominated by their school music educator; grades vary by ensemble
Maryland District Solo & Ensemble Festival
Maryland Music Educators Association
- When
- Typically winter or spring; district dates vary
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Grades 6–12; Maryland public, parochial, or independent school students enrolled in a school band, chorus, orchestra class, or school-sponsored ensemble
MTNA Competitions — Maryland State Competition
Maryland State Music Teachers Association
- When
- Usually early November each year
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Junior, senior, and young artist divisions; age and grade requirements vary by category
Homeschool and private school students
Maryland’s State Solo & Ensemble Festival requires students to attend a public, parochial, or independent school in the state and be enrolled in a school band, chorus, orchestra class, or school-sponsored ensemble, so a homeschool student without that school affiliation cannot enter through that route. The Maryland Christian Youth Band & Orchestra in Silver Spring offers multiple levels of band and orchestra groups for homeschool and after-school musicians, giving saxophonists another way to play with peers.
Starting at any age
Starting a child on saxophone
A child who can manage the mouthpiece, reed, and instrument comfortably is ready to begin saxophone; many start around the time school band opens in fourth grade. A few private lessons before that point let a child learn steady breath, a clear tone, and how to care for the instrument, so the first school rehearsals can focus on listening and playing together. Lesson With You offers a free 30-minute first lesson with no payment method required, giving you and your child time to meet a teacher and see if the weekly format feels right.
A teen in Maryland
A teen can begin saxophone without waiting for the school calendar, and lessons can build skills alongside school band or jazz ensemble. Maryland’s all-state auditions call for a school music educator to nominate the student before caregiver registration, so a conversation with the band director is the first step; nominations begin in mid-August, with auditions in November. A student who is newer to the instrument can still work toward district Solo & Ensemble, where a strong performance can open the state festival route, while weekly private lessons give focused time for tone, confidence, and musical independence.
Starting or coming back as an adult
It is not too late to start or return to saxophone as an adult in Maryland. The Williamsport Community Band welcomes adults without auditions or joining requirements, and the Hunt Valley Wind Ensemble in Timonium welcomes adult amateur musicians without an audition. Both offer a way to put individual practice into a wind ensemble; a teacher can meet you at your current level, whether you are learning your first notes or rebuilding embouchure and reading, and shape a weekly routine around the music you want to play.
Finding the right teacher
What should a good saxophone teacher do?
A good saxophone teacher builds a reliable tone and healthy breath habits before pushing for speed, then connects that foundation to the music a student wants to play. For a Maryland student considering band or all-state, the teacher should also help develop consistent reading and confidence playing with others, while an adult beginner may need a patient pace and clear practice goals. Fit matters as much as training because students learn differently and stay engaged when the teacher understands their age, goals, and personality. You can choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend one; every teacher holds at least a bachelor’s degree in saxophone.
How do live online saxophone lessons work?
In a live Zoom lesson, your teacher listens to the saxophone tone and articulation in real time, watches your posture, hands, and breath, and can demonstrate phrasing or fingerings for you to copy. A quiet room and a stable camera angle that shows both your face and instrument make feedback useful; a second device can help if you want the teacher to see your hands more closely. Online learning means no commute and access to a teacher who fits, rather than only whoever is closest. In Baltimore or Summerfield, you get the same teacher choice and the same weekly one-on-one lesson, with a dedicated teacher who gets to know how you learn.
What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You
Saxophone in Maryland
Where to hear saxophone
In Baltimore, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra gives Sunday afternoon concerts at Goucher College’s Kraushaar Auditorium or Notre Dame of Maryland University’s LeClerc Hall; students with valid ID can reserve free tickets when available. Maryland Opera’s April 2027 performances of La traviata offer another chance to hear a full chorus and orchestra, with a limited number of free student tickets for most performances. In College Park, The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center offers student and youth discounts, and non-UMD student groups can get $10 tickets.
Where to play with others
Saxophonists can find additional ensemble routes beyond local community bands. The Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra Jazz Orchestra in Annapolis welcomes auditioning students from sixth grade through college and emphasizes ensemble skills and improvisation. Montgomery County Public Schools’ Honors Jazz ensembles accept alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone auditions from eligible students in grades 7–12 who attend MCPS and live in the county. These routes suit students ready to build jazz experience alongside school band.
Saxophone around Maryland, area by area
Baltimore area
Baltimore offers a strong place to hear large-scale orchestra music, with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performing classical, popular, and celebration concerts. Students with a valid ID can seek $10 same-day rush tickets when available. In Westminster, Carroll Community College presents free student ensemble concerts, including rock ensemble performances, which give families another way to hear young musicians play together.
- Town guides
- Baltimore, Columbia, Ellicott City, Glen Burnie, Dundalk, Towson, Severn, Bel Air South
Hagerstown area
For listening in Hagerstown, select Maryland Symphony Orchestra classical performances are free for K–12 students in most seating sections, or half price in premium sections. The Hagerstown Municipal Band offers free Sunday evening summer concerts, usually beginning in mid-June. These performances give a saxophone student a chance to hear how winds support a full ensemble, even when the program is not centered on saxophone.
- School year
- Aug 25 to Jun 8, 41 lesson weeks (Washington County Public Schools)
- Town guides
- Hagerstown, Martinsburg, Halfway
Salisbury area
Salisbury offers a student-friendly way to hear symphonic music: area students can attend Salisbury Symphony Orchestra concerts for $5, except at premium-ticketed events, and children accompanied by an adult can attend its Children’s Concert free. Families can make either outing a chance to hear how winds contribute to a larger ensemble sound.
- School year
- Sep 1 to Jun 11, 39 lesson weeks (Wicomico County Public Schools)
- Town guides
- Salisbury
Lexington Park area
Families in the Lexington Park area can look to the Charles County Youth Orchestra in Bryans Road, which welcomes students ages 7–18 from St. Mary’s County and other counties. Because this is an orchestra setting rather than a saxophone-specific band route, it suits a saxophonist best when the student is interested in broader ensemble experience and the group’s instrumentation fits.
- School year
- Aug 26 to Jun 16, 40 lesson weeks (St. Mary's County Public Schools)
- Town guides
- Lexington Park, California
Cumberland area
Cumberland families can hear live music without a ticket through two recurring summer options. The Levitt AMP Cumberland Music Series brings free Thursday concerts to the Canal Place Festival Grounds from June through August, while Sunday in the Park offers free weekly music at Constitution Park from May through September.
- Town guides
- Cumberland
Easton area
Easton has listening options for both orchestral and informal concert settings. Students up to age 18 can reserve complimentary tickets to Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra concerts, subject to availability. Carpe Diem Arts also presents free, all-ages lunchtime concerts at Brookletts Place, giving families an accessible way to hear live music during the day.
- School year
- Aug 24 to Jun 14, 40 lesson weeks (Talbot County Public Schools)
- Town guides
- Easton
Cambridge area
Cambridge listeners can attend the free fall and winter concert series at Christ Episcopal Church or the free Main Stage concert at Groove City Culture Fest. Saxophonists looking for a group can consider the Mid-Shore Community Band, which rehearses in Easton; high school students need the music director’s approval to join.
- Town guides
- Cambridge
Ocean Pines area
Ocean Pines families can hear free concerts at Ocean City’s Sunset Park Party Nights on Thursday evenings in July and August. Saxophone students can also listen for the instrument in the area’s summer live music, then bring that sound into school band or individual practice.
- School year
- Aug 31 to Jun 11, 39 lesson weeks (Worcester County Public Schools)
- Town guides
- Ocean Pines
A little saxophone history in Maryland
Maryland’s saxophone story has a connection to Baltimore through Eubie Blake, whose “Baltimore Todolo” was arranged for saxophone ensemble for a birthday concert honoring saxophone inventor Adolphe Sax in Frostburg. Baltimore-based saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Ian Sims performs around the Baltimore–Washington region and received a Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award in 2015. For a student, these connections show the instrument in both ensemble arrangements and the work of a contemporary regional performer.
Start with a Free 30-Minute Saxophone Lesson
- One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
- Weekly options for changing family calendars
- Build tone, reading, jazz, band, or audition skills
- Claim a free first 30-minute lesson
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a teacher who can explain how they will build tone, breath control, and reading skills for your goals. Lesson With You lets you choose a teacher or ask for a recommendation, and the free first 30-minute lesson gives you time to see if the fit feels right.
Yes, a teacher can hear tone and articulation in real time and watch your posture, hands, and breath over Zoom. A quiet room and camera view of your face and instrument help, and online lessons remove the commute while giving you access to a teacher who fits.
Many Maryland districts begin band or instrumental music in fourth grade, including Montgomery, Prince George’s, Howard, and Harford counties. The start differs by district, with Wicomico County’s cited middle school band beginning in grade six.
A school music educator nominates a student for MMEA’s Junior or Senior Band all-state auditions, which take place in November. Another route is to earn a Superior rating on grade 2–6 music at a district Solo & Ensemble festival, then perform at the State Solo & Ensemble Festival.
The State Solo & Ensemble Festival requires students to attend a Maryland public, parochial, or independent school and be enrolled in a school ensemble class or school-sponsored ensemble. Homeschool saxophonists can instead look to Maryland Christian Youth Band & Orchestra in Silver Spring for band and orchestra participation.
Many children start around fourth grade, when band begins in many Maryland districts, once they can comfortably manage the instrument and mouthpiece. A private teacher can help a younger child prepare the basics before school band starts.
No, adults can begin or return to saxophone at any age. The New Horizons Band of Hagerstown welcomes all experience levels without auditions, and a teacher can build from your current skills and pace.
Saxophone lessons in Maryland typically cost about $80 an hour, or $36 to $59 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.
