About
At AEMusic Studio, music is viewed as a lifelong creative pursuit. By building strong musical foundations early, students develop the confidence to discover their own artistic voice. Through an intentional approach to instrumental technique, music theory, ear training, music history, creative exploration, and leadership development, AEMusic Studio equips students of all ages and experience levels with the skills to master their craft and shape their own musical journey. While saxophone remains a central focus, AEMusic Studio uses music as a vehicle for exploration, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Mission
AEMusic Studio envisions a future where music education prepares students for far more than the concert stage. By weaving creativity, collaboration, artistic exploration, and meaningful musical experiences throughout every aspect of the curriculum, AEMusic Studio empowers individuals to become confident, lifelong musicians, creative thinkers, thoughtful leaders, engaged citizens, and well-rounded contributors to society.
Vision
Meet Andrew
Andrew E. Morrison is a saxophonist, arranger, composer, educator, music education advocate, and the founder of AEMusic Studio. His work bridges performance, education, composition, recording, and creative leadership with a mission to inspire lifelong musicianship and reimagine the role of music education for the next generation.
From an early age, Morrison experienced firsthand the transformative impact of individualized music instruction. Through years of private study, he developed not only the technical skills required to perform at a high level, but also a lifelong appreciation for curiosity, creativity, and artistic expression. Those experiences continue to shape his philosophy as both a performer and educator.
As a performer, Morrison has appeared with a variety of ensembles, including the NJ All-State Wind Ensemble. He is a collegiate concerto competition winner and served as Drum Major for Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies from Montclair State University and has studied privately with distinguished saxophonists and educators including Bruce Williams, Sherman Irby, Jonathan Ragonese, and Allen Won. His performance experience spans wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, chamber music, and contemporary collaborative projects, reflecting a musical background that bridges classical, jazz, contemporary, and commercial styles.
Alongside his performance career, Morrison has developed a passion for arranging, composition, and music production. He is the creator of The Modern Sax Choir Project, an ongoing artistic initiative that reimagines contemporary music through the sound of the saxophone family. By arranging, recording, and producing every part himself, he explores new possibilities for the instrument while introducing audiences to the richness and versatility of the entire saxophone family. The project reflects his belief that the saxophone deserves a larger voice in contemporary music and demonstrates how modern technology can expand opportunities for artistic expression.
Education remains at the center of Morrison's work. Through AEMusic Studio, his work as a Teaching Artist with NJPAC, his teaching at Elefante Music, and clinics and masterclasses throughout New Jersey, he has worked with students of all ages and experience levels. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the development of a characteristic and expressive sound from the very beginning, believing that students who enjoy the way they sound are far more likely to build a lifelong relationship with music.
Central to Morrison's educational philosophy is the belief that music should be learned much like a spoken language. Before children learn to read words, they first learn to listen, imitate, and communicate. Morrison believes music should be approached in the same way, with an emphasis on listening, singing, improvising, and internalizing sound before relying on notation. By developing the ear first and introducing reading as a tool that reinforces musical understanding rather than replaces it, students become more creative, independent, and expressive musicians.
Beyond individual lessons, Morrison is an advocate for music education and music education reform. He believes that every student deserves equal access to meaningful musical experiences that foster creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and lifelong learning. His writing and educational initiatives explore how music programs can better prepare students not only to become stronger musicians, but also more adaptable thinkers, leaders, and creators. Through his ongoing work, he hopes to contribute to a broader conversation about the future of music education while helping students discover their own artistic voice.
Whether performing, arranging, teaching, or writing, Morrison is guided by the belief that music has the power to connect people, inspire creativity, and enrich lives. He remains committed to expanding the artistic possibilities of the saxophone, creating innovative educational experiences, and encouraging musicians of all ages to explore, create, and continue learning throughout their lives.
Every lesson is designed to develop complete musicians through a balanced approach to performance, creativity, listening, theory, history, leadership, and artistic exploration. By tailoring instruction to the individual goals of each student, lessons cultivate technical excellence, musical independence, creative confidence, and a lifelong love of learning
Saxophone
Lessons
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Instruction is personalized to each student, with every lesson drawing from one or more of the following areas based on the student's goals, interests, and stage of development.
Instrumental Technique and Characteristic Sound
Listening, Ear Training, Transcription, and Musical Memory
Music Reading and Sight Reading
Music Theory, Harmony, and Analysis
Improvisation Across Jazz and Contemporary Styles
Composition, Arranging, and Creative Musicianship
Music History, Repertoire, and Style
Recording, Music Production, and Digital Audio Workstations
Audition and Performance Preparation
Conducting, Rehearsal Techniques, and Musical Leadership
Creative Coaching and Artistic Development
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$50 for 30-minute lessons
$80 for 60-minute lessons
Clinics, Masterclasses & Artist Residencies
In addition to private instruction, AEMusic Studio offers customized clinics, masterclasses, and artist residencies for schools, universities, community music programs, and independent ensembles. Every session is designed in collaboration with the hosting organization and can be tailored to the ensemble's goals, experience level, instrumentation, and curriculum. Whether presenting a single workshop or a multi-day residency, my goal is to inspire technical excellence, creative confidence, and lifelong musicianship through engaging, student-centered instruction.
Every Program Is Customized
Every clinic, masterclass, and residency is customized to the needs of the hosting organization. Workshops may focus on a single topic or combine multiple areas of study into a comprehensive educational experience. Sessions can be adapted for beginning, intermediate, advanced, collegiate, and professional musicians across a wide variety of ensemble settings and musical styles.
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Beginning Band Foundations
Saxophone Fundamentals
Creative Musicianship and Improvisation
Listening, Ear Training, and Musical Independence
Music Theory, Harmony, and Analysis
Ensemble Performance and Chamber Music
Composition, Arranging, and Songwriting
Music Technology and Recording
Audition and Performance Preparation
Effective Practice Strategies
Conducting, Rehearsal Techniques, and Musical Leadership
Creative Curriculum Design for Music Education
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Minimum engagement: 60-minute session
Single-session clinics
Multi-session residencies
Full-day educational visits
Artist residencies
Professional development workshops for music educators
Scheduling and program design are coordinated with each organization to best meet its educational goals
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Fees vary based on the length of the engagement, number of sessions, travel requirements, and the scope of the residency or workshop.
Please inquire for a customized quote.
The Modern Sax Choir Project is an ongoing artistic initiative dedicated to reimagining the role of the saxophone ensemble in contemporary music. By combining original arrangements, multitrack performance, music production, and visual storytelling, the project explores new ways of presenting the saxophone family to modern audiences.
Drawing inspiration from contemporary pop, jazz, film music, and beyond, each arrangement showcases the expressive possibilities of the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones while highlighting the richness and versatility of the instrument as both a solo and ensemble voice.
More than a series of performances, The Modern Sax Choir Project seeks to expand the repertoire, inspire the next generation of performers, and create new opportunities for the saxophone in today's musical landscape. By bringing the saxophone ensemble into contemporary musical spaces, the project aims to broaden its audience and inspire new possibilities for performers, educators, composers, and listeners alike.
The Modern Sax Choir Project
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Every arrangement is created primarily by ear, with very little being written down before evolving into a large-scale multitrack production. From arranging, performing, recording, and editing to mixing and video production, each project is produced independently to create an immersive musical experience that celebrates the full voice of the saxophone family.
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The Modern Sax Choir Project continues to explore contemporary music through new arrangements, original compositions, collaborations, and educational performances, with the goal of introducing new audiences to the limitless possibilities of the saxophone ensemble.
Performances & Guest Artist Apperances
In addition to its educational programs, AEMusic Studio offers performances, guest artist appearances, and collaborative musical projects. Whether presenting solo performances, performing with ensembles, or combining concerts with educational residencies, every performance aims to create engaging musical experiences that inspire audiences while celebrating the versatility of the saxophone.
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Solo Saxophone Performances
Guest Artist Performances with School and Community Ensembles
Jazz Combo and Small Ensemble Performances
Classical and Chamber Music Performances
Educational Concerts and Lecture-Recitals
Concerts Combined with Clinics and Artist Residencies
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Every performance can be tailored to the needs of the presenter, venue, or educational organization. Programs may feature classical, jazz, contemporary, commercial, and popular music, and can be paired with masterclasses, clinics, question-and-answer sessions, or educational workshops to create a unique artistic experience.