Sarah Markham

Saxophonist | Educator | Conductor | Mentor

Sarah Markham

Latest News


New Year Update

I feel very lucky to be starting 2023 relaxed and in practise. I took some time at the end of 2022 to rest and recuperate after a busy few months of performing and teaching. I enjoyed getting back to basics with my scales and exploring repertoire plans for the new year. Over the past year I have read more...

2022 Markham Awards

I’m very happy to announce the recipients of my Markham Awards for 2022. This is the tenth year of my Sarah Markham Saxophone Award which I started in 2013 to recognise the achievements of my outstanding graduating students. As I come to the end of academic year I enjoy reflecting on all that my read more...

2021 Markham Awards

It’s the time of year when I announce the recipients of my Markham awards. I established the Sarah Markham Saxophone Award in 2013 to recognise the achievements of my outstanding graduating students; five years later I established the Ralph Markham Achievement Award in my late father’s name to read more...

About Sarah Markham


Professor Sarah Markham is a highly regarded saxophonist, with a performing, recording and teaching career spanning twenty-five years. Vibrant and inspiring, she has performed throughout Europe, North America, and the Far East. Sarah has broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, and featured in the last eight World Saxophone Congresses.

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 is a founder member of Quirk, a vibrant and innovative saxophone ensemble. She is a member of the Music of Renown Ensemble, musical director of the Yorkshire Saxophone Choir, and director of the annual University of Huddersfield Saxophone Day.

Sarah studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA, winning scholarships from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust and the Sir James Caird Trust. Sarah was the wind section winner of the Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition and the Park Lane Group. Her career includes performances as a concerto soloist, and recitalist with: pianist Paul Turner, the Adelphi Saxophone Quartet, the Northern Saxophone Quartet, the Tribune Octet, Equinox and other UK and international collaborations.

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.

A highly regarded teacher, Sarah is a Professor of Saxophone, and a tutor at the Royal College of Music junior department, Leeds Conservatoire and the universities of Huddersfield, Sheffield, York, Hull, and Durham. Sarah was the saxophone consultant at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and regularly conducts masterclasses and clinics throughout the UK and beyond.

Sarah is both a Yamaha Performing Artist and a Vandoren Performing Artist.

  • “Sarah Markham...was formidably impressive... a sustained feat of exuberance... breathed an extraordinary, haunted magic. The most mesmerising thing I've heard all year!” Michael White, Independent on Sunday
  • “Sarah Markham played with unanimous intensity and terrific rhythm...the sax. sang with the sadness of an oboe d'amore.” Rick Jones, Evening Standard
  • “Sarah Markham is a remarkable saxophonist who deserves high praise for her sound, technique, interpretation, and phrasing. Sarah Markham's sound... is the definition of excellence, and her technique... is superb.” Paul Wagner, Saxophone Journal

Sarah Markham

Professor SARAH MARKHAM


Saxophonist Educator Conductor Mentor


Yamaha
Vandoren

Sarah is a Yamaha and Vandoren performing artist.

Sarah Markham

TEACHING


Sarah Markham's teaching practice welcomes students of all ages and abilities. Focuses include preparing students for music college, and helping amateur musicians get the most from their playing. Sarah is a specialist in helping students with performance anxiety issues.

Quirk Duo

QUIRK DUO


The Quirk Duo is saxophonists Sarah Markham and Kenneth Wilkinson. Between them they have a performing career spanning sixty years, enjoying many genres including solo recitals, opera, orchestral, jazz, pop and chamber music. The Quirk Duo is a distillation of those experiences, an exploration of possibilities.

Quirk Saxophone Quartet

QUIRK SAXOPHONE QUARTET


The.Quirk Saxophone Quartet is made up of like-minded saxophonists:

Sarah Markham - soprano
Kenneth Wilkinson - alto
Chris Jolly - tenor
Sarah Hind - baritone

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