Sarah Markham

Professor Sarah Markham is a highly regarded saxophonist, with a performing, recording and teaching career spanning nearly thirty years. A Yamaha Performing Artist and a Vandoren Performing Artist, Sarah has performed throughout Europe, North America, and the Far East, broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, and featured in eight World Saxophone Congresses. Sarah is a regular visitor to Greece, being a featured artist and adjudicator at the International Greek Saxophone Festival and giving masterclasses in Athens.

Sarah has released numerous CDs of solo and chamber music including; Run, Sing, Fly (Saxophone Classics) Saxophone Recital, James Rae Sonatinas for Saxophone (Prologue), Simply Four Saxophones by the Adelphi Saxophone Quartet (EMI) and Nine Pieces for Five Players with the Quirk saxophone quartet.

Sarah’s career includes performances as a concerto soloist, and recitalist with pianist Paul Turner, Quirk ensemble, the Adelphi Saxophone Quartet, the Northern Saxophone Quartet, the Tribune Octet, Equinox and other UK and international collaborations. She graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with a degree and was also awarded the performers diploma with distinction. She went on to complete a masters degree in music performance at the University of Massachusetts, USA. Sarah was the wind section winner of the Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition and a Park Lane Group artist.

As an advocate for new music Sarah regularly works with composers of all genres. Her commissioned work Several World by Rachel Stott was written for nine soloists and large saxophone ensemble. It was conducted by Sarah at the 2012 World Saxophone Congress and featured leading saxophonists, including Otis Murphy, Michael Duke, and Lynn Klock. James Rae’s Sonata in Eb for alto saxophone and piano (Reedimensions) is dedicated to Sarah and pianist Paul Turner. Sarah was artistic director of the record label Saxophone Classics from 2009 to 2015.

A highly regarded teacher, Sarah is a Professor of Saxophone, and a tutor at the Royal College of Music junior department, Leeds Conservatoire and several universities including Sheffield, York, and Durham. Sarah was the saxophone consultant at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, musical director of the Yorkshire Saxophone Choir, and artistic director of the University of Huddersfield Saxophone Day for ten years. She regularly conducts masterclasses and clinics throughout the UK and beyond.