Formal study of the saxophone culminates at this level. Special interests such as contemporary styles, artistic study abroad or special research are possibilities at this point.

Some career objectives may have specific prerequisites. For example, teaching at the college level requires graduate study. Graduate assistantships with a modest stipend can provide experience in teaching undergraduate students while pursuing a graduate degree tuition-free. A secondary specialty field such as music history, theory or conducting is often useful. Many small to medium size college teaching situations offer the opportunity to combine self-generated sources of income such as teaching, playing, contracting and recording.

Professional performance experience is generally required for the top college positions. Universities that offer graduate degrees usually require that their faculty members have doctoral degrees in addition to an artistic performance background. After settling into a performing or teaching position and gaining recognition, clinician-soloist engagements may be pursued to enrich basic employment.

CLASSIC REPERTOIRE
The standards listed on this site for Level 7 should be in the repertoire of every performing classical alto saxophonist. These works can be first studied and performed at earlier levels. At this point in the saxophonist's career, however, they should be reviewed and polished, ready for a consummate public performance at short notice.