Larry Teal
Encyclopedia
Larry Teal is considered by many to be the father of American Saxophone.
Teal earned a Bachelors degree in Pre-Dentistry from the University of Michigan
. While studying there he began playing in jazz bands as a saxophonist. He later earned a Doctor of Music
from the Detroit Institute of Musical Arts
in 1943.
During the early 1950's he was a flutist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and played occasional alto saxophone solos. He maintained a studio near Wayne University (Later Wayne State) where many high school and college students studied saxophone. Don Sinta was one of those students who was considered a virtuoso in saxophone by many while he was a music major at Wayne. Mr. Teal was highly sought after as a professional musician by both classical and popular musical organizations.
He became the first full-time professor of saxophone at any American university when he was appointed to the faculty of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in 1953. He remained the professor of saxophone there until he retired in 1974, at which time he was given the title "professor emeritus."
During his 21 years at the university, Teal taught over 100 college saxophone students, many of whom went on to become successful teachers and performers. In this way he had an unusual degree of influence over the direction and quality of classical saxophone teaching in America.
His students included:
Teal wrote several books for use by saxophone students and teachers, including:
Teal earned a Bachelors degree in Pre-Dentistry from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. While studying there he began playing in jazz bands as a saxophonist. He later earned a Doctor of Music
Doctor of Music
The Doctor of Music degree , like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music...
from the Detroit Institute of Musical Arts
Detroit Institute of Musical Arts
The Detroit Institute of Musical Arts was a music conservatory in Detroit, Michigan that was actively providing higher education in music from 1914-1970.-History:...
in 1943.
During the early 1950's he was a flutist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and played occasional alto saxophone solos. He maintained a studio near Wayne University (Later Wayne State) where many high school and college students studied saxophone. Don Sinta was one of those students who was considered a virtuoso in saxophone by many while he was a music major at Wayne. Mr. Teal was highly sought after as a professional musician by both classical and popular musical organizations.
He became the first full-time professor of saxophone at any American university when he was appointed to the faculty of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in 1953. He remained the professor of saxophone there until he retired in 1974, at which time he was given the title "professor emeritus."
During his 21 years at the university, Teal taught over 100 college saxophone students, many of whom went on to become successful teachers and performers. In this way he had an unusual degree of influence over the direction and quality of classical saxophone teaching in America.
His students included:
- Donald SintaDonald SintaDonald Sinta is an American classical saxophonist, educator, and administrator.In 1969 he was the first elected chair of the World Saxophone Congress.-Teaching career:He serves as Earl V...
, who succeeded him as professor of saxophone at the University of Michigan - Steven Mauk, professor of saxophone at Ithaca CollegeIthaca CollegeIthaca College is a private college located on the South Hill of Ithaca, New York. The school was founded by William Egbert in 1892 as a conservatory of music. The college has a strong liberal arts core, but also offers several pre-professional programs and some graduate programs. The college is...
- Patrick MeighanPatrick MeighanPatrick Meighan is an American saxophonist and educator. He specializes in European classical music, but also performs in jazz, rock, and pop styles.-Education:...
, now professor of saxophone at Florida State UniversityFlorida State UniversityThe Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation... - John SampenJohn SampenJohn Sampen is an American classical saxophonist.Sampen's degrees are from Northwestern University . His teachers included Frederick Hemke, Larry Teal, and Donald Sinta. He has served as professor of saxophone at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio since 1977...
, now professor of saxophone at Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green State UniversityBowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State... - Joe HendersonJoe HendersonJoe Henderson was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. In a career spanning more than forty years Henderson played with many of the leading American players of his day and recorded for several prominent labels, including Blue Note.-Early life:From a very large family with five sisters and nine...
- Josh Rodriguez
- John Nichol, professor of saxophone at Central Michigan UniversityCentral Michigan UniversityCentral Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
- Jerry D. Luedders, professor of music and saxophone at California State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
- Fred W. Becker, Musician and Teacher
- Dr. Randall E. Reese, Associate Professor of Music at Armstrong Atlantic State UniversityArmstrong Atlantic State UniversityArmstrong Atlantic State University, also referred to as Armstrong Atlantic, Armstrong, or simply AASU, is a four-year public university part of the University System of Georgia. It is located on a campus in suburban Savannah, Georgia, United States...
- David Henderson, professor of saxophone at University of the Pacific
- Kenny Millions
- Larry Teal Jr.
- Bennie Maupin
- Lynn KlockLynn KlockLynn Klock is an American classical saxophonist and educator. He is also the bass clarinetist in the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Springfield, Massachusetts.- Teaching career :...
, now professor of saxophone at University of Massachusetts AmherstUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstThe University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
Teal wrote several books for use by saxophone students and teachers, including:
- The Art of Saxophone Playing (1963) ISBN 0-874870-57-7
- Melodies for the Young Saxophonist
- The Saxophonist's Workbook (need ISBN)