Over the past sixty years, I have been intimately involved with saxophone pedagogy and the performance of music written for our instrument. During the past 46 of these years, I have taught many wonderful students at Northwestern University and have had the pleasure, through their teaching and performing,to see the stature of the saxophone reach ever higher and higher levels of admiration and respect. In the performance of both concert music and jazz, the saxophone has become a vital and significant force in the musical world of the twenty first century. It is my hope and desire to have this web page serve as a vehicle for an on-going dissemination and discussion of critical issues concerning the saxophone, for bringing about an awareness of the saxophone program at Northwestern University and for providing a means of communication between all of my present and former students.

Two new Hemke CDs,    SIMPLE GIFTS         and    THE AMERICAN SAXOPHONIST Available at $15 plus $3 postage each Now available:    THE AMERICAN SAXOPHONIST    (On EnF Records)    EnF Records    128 Lawndale Avenue    Wilmette, IL 60091-3211    Contact: f- hemke@northwestern.edu

Many of these students have become and remain active in the saxophone world. Many others have gone beyond their love for making music into other meaningful and rewarding careers in life. In any case you all share a fellowship and camaraderie with NU and your saxo classmates. Please use this website to identify how you are doing, where you are and where your collegiate education has taken you. For any of you who happen to come upon this site as a visitor, I welcome your ideas, insights, comments, and concerns. It would be good to hear from you! I look forward to hearing from all of you! Frederick L. Hemke