Summer Saxophone Academy

Academy faculty

Otis Murphy

Otis Murphy is professor of music in saxophone at the IU Jacobs School of Music, joining the faculty in 2001. He is in great demand as an international soloist and clinician, having performed in some 20 countries worldwide across four continents.

Tom Walsh

Tom Walsh is professor of music in saxophone and chair of the Jazz Studies Department at the IU Jacobs School of Music. An active performer of jazz and classical music, he has presented concerts and workshops around the world and has been featured on numerous recordings.

For more information, please contact musicsp@iu.edu.

Anticipated Program schedule

Check-in will be Sunday, July 5, time and dormitory location TBD

Monday through Friday morning

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Lessons, practice, technique classes

12:30 - 1:45 PM: Lunch

1:45 - 3:00 PM: Master class

3:00 - 3:50 PM: Free time/practice/topic class

4:00 - 5:30 PM: Quartet

5:30 - 7:00 PM: Dinner and free time

7:00 - 8:15 PM: Saxophone Ensemble and Jazz Workshop

8:30 PM: Concert

Friday Evening

7:00 PM Student Concert

Students may leave Friday after the concert or Saturday morning.

Saturday

Check out of Dorm by 10 AM

2026 Fees and Deadlines

Fees

  • Tuition: $900
    • A $100 non-refundable registration fee is due at registration (credited towards the overall cost of tuition)
    • If you do not wish to pay tuition in full at the time of initial registration, please do not select the tuition option prior to completing registration, and select only the registration fee. Please be aware that tuition must be paid in full by the payment deadline in order to participate in the program.
  • Housing (optional, includes meals): 2026 rates coming in late 2025
    • The posted rate covers housing from check-in on Sunday July 5 to check-out on Saturday July 11. 

  • *Included in the cost of housing is a Linen Package (including pillowcase, top and bottom sheet, two washcloths and towels; blankets and pillows available upon request)

  • Youth Commuter Meal Plan (optional, for youth participants not living in the dorms)
    • 2026 rates coming in late 2025

Deadlines

  • Scholarship Application Deadline: April 13, 2026
  • Notification of Scholarship: April 20, 2026
  • Registration and Payment: May 1, 2026
  • Participant Forms Due: June 1, 2026

*To be considered for Scholarship, you must complete your registration, paying only the non-refundable registration fee, prior to submitting your financial aid application.

Scholarship Consideration

We are able to offer a limited number of scholarships. Students wishing to be considered for a scholarship, should please indicate this on their registration form. The Jacobs Academy Coordinator will contact you will further instructions regarding your scholarship application.

Scholarship Application Deadlines: April 13, 2026

Placement Recordings

To place students in lesson studios, technique classes, quartets, and large ensemble or jazz workshop, all students must submit a placement recording. 

Deadline: May 1, 2026 

Provide links to unedited recordings; YouTube preferred. (Note: the audition portal requires a file upload; please paste your YouTube links into a Word document or other text file and upload that file to the portal.) 

 

  •  Students interested in classical saxophone should send the following:
    • Introductory video: please introduce yourself by stating your name, where you are from, your school, how many years you have played saxophone, and the repertoire you are including.
    • Audio Recordings
      • Two minutes of a technical work of your choice
      • Two minutes of a lyrical work of your choice
      • Three scales of your choice
  • Students interested in jazz saxophone should send the following:
    • Introductory video: please introduce yourself by stating your name, where you are from, your school, how many years you have played saxophone, and the repertoire you are including.
    • Audio Recordings--you may send any of the following (you are not required to send all):
      • Improvise on a blues in a key of your choice. You may use a play along or live accompaniment.
      • Play a prepared piece such as a big band chart or a jazz etude (such as something by Snidero or Fishman)
      • Play a prepared solo transcription (such as something from the Charlie Parker Omnibook)
      • Three scales of your choice

Students interested in both jazz and classical may send both sets of material.

 REGARDING RECORDING QUALITY

Before making your final recording, please make a test recording first.

Record yourself and listen back to check the volume level to be sure the sound is not distorted and that it's not too far away. You may record using a phone, laptop, or any other type of recorder. Check to be sure the quality is a good representation of your performance ability. If video is problematic, audio only is acceptable.

How to Apply

REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER 2026 WILL OPEN IN DECEMBER 2025

  1. Eligibility: Accepting students between the ages of 14 and 18-years.
  2. Registration: Complete the online registration form and pay the Non-Refundable Registration Fee ($100) and tuition
    • If you do not wish to pay tuition in full at the time of initial registration, please do not select the tuition option prior to completing registration, and select only the registration fee. Please be aware that tuition must be paid in full by the payment deadline in order to participate in the program.
    • Save your login information so you can easily go back to edit your registration/tuition payment if needed
  3. Placement Recording: Upload placement recording through the Jacobs School of Music Audition Portal. Please create a guest account if you do not already have one and select the "Jacobs Academy - Summer Saxophone Academy" option. (If you have issues accessing the audition portal please email musicsp@iu.edu)

Once you have completed the previous steps, please submit the Participant Agreement Form

Enrollment limit: Registration will close at 32 participants.

Cancellation Policy: Click here for our most up to date cancellation policy.

Registration Link Coming Soon