Colton Sell

Saturday, March 29, PASQ Memorial, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Learning From the Masters: Implementing Active Listening and Ear Training For Classical Saxophonists

It is almost unanimously understood that great musicians need great ears. Musicians need to hear when they are out of tune, time, tone, and/or texture, and we cannot do this without a high level of aural proficiency. Many professional musicians do the necessary work to develop their ears, but this can often be an uphill battle due to their prior training. Classical musicians tend to lean into a trope of being proficient readers with weaker ears, and jazz players may lean towards the opposite. Neither of these is inherently wrong, but I believe musicians can be set up for greater success if ear training and aural proficiency is included more deliberately in their early education.

Saxophonists, in particular, find themselves in an interesting spot with this conundrum. Saxophonists have the blessing and curse of being relevant instruments in both jazz and classical music; meaning their opportunity to improve aurally can be present in two major scholastic ensembles. Their eyes are guaranteed to improve in both, but their ears can improve just as much if active listening is implemented into classical music education at a significant level.

Versatility is a key aspect of being a successful saxophone player, and we need to give our students every possible opportunity to become versatile. Jazz musicians steal language and material from the legends of the genre and display their findings like a badge of honor. Classical musicians need to take a page out of that book and get their ears on the masters.

Colton Sell (He/Him) is a 23 year old educator and jazz saxophonist from Greeley, Colorado. He received his Bachelor's degree in Music Education with a Jazz Emphasis from the University of Northern Colorado in 2024, and he is currently pursuing his Master's in Jazz Studies from UNC as well. Colton has had experience playing in many ensembles, both curricular and non-curricular, during his tenure at the University of Northern Colorado. His time with the Continuum Jazz Orchestra, Funkadelic Laboratorium, and Spectrum Studio Orchestra have shaped his personal musicianship and pedagogical approach towards music. Colton is also a frequent sub in the Northern Colorado area. He has played for several groups, including the John Mills Orchestra. On the classical side, Colton has played saxophone and clarinet for UNC’s concert and symphonic bands, and he conducted the UNC Saxophone Ensemble.

Colton’s passion lies in education and sharing his pedagogy with his students. He is an active educator in Northern Colorado and is currently the Woodwind Technician for Eaton High School. He spends a great deal of time in high schools in the area working with classical and jazz saxophone sections. Outside of clinics, masterclasses, and school, Colton also runs a successful private saxophone studio. His students have made several Colorado honor bands, and have been featured soloists in their own endeavors. Seeing his students succeed brings Colton fulfillment and joy in life, and he hopes to share his knowledge with as many people as possible.