While trolling through YouTube looking for interesting saxophone videos, I happened across a German saxophone choir called Variosax. Variosax uses a 5 voice, choir-like arrangement to create its unique sound.
https://youtu.be/sKO_zZcFrOE?si=7O2iFiSLjxFqrpg2
The group’s sound is made up of the following parts: soprano, alto 1, alto 2, tenor, baritone & bass clarinet. Yes, you read that right, bass clarinet. On their website the group states that the bass clarinet gives the bass part both fullness and warmth. (BTW, the website is only in German, and Google translate won’t work on it.)
What’s perhaps most astonishing is that this group is not completely made up of seasoned players. It started as a school band at the Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasiums in Neckarsulm. (Gymnasium is the type of high school that prepares students to write the exams necessary to enter into university).
When the band first started, it began as a mixed orchestra of saxophones and clarinets. However, right from the start a saxophone ensemble had been envisioned. With the ebb and flow that naturally occurs in schools, the band’s composition changed, and the number of players levelled off to between 15 & 22.
Variosax has evolved to include players outside of school system. It is now a 3 generation band that includes: students in high school, music students and young music teachers, as well as retired teaching colleagues.
The group is open to not only established saxophone players, but also those who already play a related instrument like clarinet or flute, and are interested in playing the sax.
If you’d like to find out more about Variosax, you can find them on Facebook, YouTube, and of course, on their website. (Don’t forget to brush up on your German.) 😉
Update May 2024: Corona spelled the demise of this talented group. They live on through YouTube though. Check out their channel. They were great!
Much later than expected and still far from being completed, but: The translation of our website is in progress!
And there are some news on our orchestra, too:
Our next “KulTOUR” is taking us to Hungary from 11th to 17th May. Amongst others there will be an concert with a local school’s choir. As you can imagine, we’re pretty excited…
Bis bald,
Stefan
Dear Helen,
as you can imagine we were quite surprised and impressed as well, that our orchestra actually played loud enough to be heard in distant Canada! Thank you for visiting our website/YouTube channel/Facebook-page!
Lately it has been rather quiet on our YouTube channel, but soon you’ll be able to watch or rather listen to some new videos, cause the recording of our concert in Paris have turned out well. We plan to record in the Schöntal Abbey, where our next concert will take place, and hope those recordings will turn out well, too.
Furthermore – as reaction to your blogpost – we decided to translate our website. Therefore you will be able to read http://www.saxophonorchester-variosax.de in English soon! (We intend to be ready by January.)
Keep up the good work on your website and your blog! We will stop by every now and then, that’s for sure!
Hallo Stefan.
Welcome to my website. Thank you for the kind words about my site.
I was very pleased to find the Variosax website & YouTube channel. I think your group is very inspirational for players starting out, and those who have been playing only a short while.
I believe anyone who just begins the long road down saxophone proficiency, sometimes feels that they will not master this so called “easy to play” instrument. Variosax is a role model of sorts. It says: Yes, it is possible to play saxophone in an ensemble, and to play with other, more established players.
It is through this playing with more established and proficient players, that younger players hone their own playing skills. It gives them something tangible to strive for, and real, live mentors to sit beside, week after week. In my opinion, there is no better way of developing a pool of quality players.
Please let me know when you have your new videos up, and when your website is up in English. Obwohl ich deutsch lesen kann, die meisten von meinen Lesern sind englisch sprechend.
Bis bald…helen
PS: I would like to do another article about your group when your site is translated. Best of luck with the new recordings. hk
I’ll be happy to inform you about Variosax-news! And of course we look forward to the article you announced…
Bis bald,
Stefan