From Baton Rouge to the National Stage: LSU's Saxophone Studio is Making Noise

From nationally competitive performance awards and coveted summer appointments to a featured performance invitation at one of North America’s most prestigious saxophone conferences, LSU’s saxophone studio, led by Dr. Kendra Wheeler, has been making its mark at every level. This year, the studio earned significant honors at both the regional and national levels, reflecting both the exceptional talent of its students and the strength of the program that supports them.

Student Spotlights

Among the individual honorees this year was senior saxophonist Preston Hernandez, who earned second prize in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Woodwind Competition, a nationally recognized event and one of the premier competitions in the country. Preston further distinguished himself by winning the LSU Dean’s Concerto Competition, one of the university’s most prestigious performance awards. As the winner of the Concerto Competition, Preston recently performed Roger Boutry’s Divertimento for Saxophone and Strings with the LSU Symphony Orchestra on April 28.

Nathan Jasper also had a year marked by both competitive distinction and meaningful professional opportunity. He advanced to the semifinals of the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) and received LSU’s Lagniappe Jury Award in the fall of 2025, recognizing his exceptional artistic merit. Nathan was also selected as a faculty intern for the 2026 Great Plains Saxophone Workshop, a competitive appointment that will place him in a teaching and mentorship role alongside distinguished faculty at one of the country’s premier summer saxophone programs.

The final student spotlight belongs to Kade Williamson, who has also earned recognition at both the regional and national levels. Kade was named the winner of the Music Club of Baton Rouge Orchestral Winds Scholarship Competition, a prestigious honor celebrating outstanding young wind performers in our community. He has also been accepted into the Frederick L. Hemke Saxophone Institute, an elite program bearing the name of one of the most celebrated saxophonists and educators in American history.

The recognition these students have received speaks to their artistry, discipline, and continued development as performers. We are proud to honor these three talented individuals.

LSU Saxophone Octet Takes the National Stage

While there are numerous individual achievements to be celebrated, the studio’s reach extends to the ensemble level as well. The LSU Saxophone Octet was selected to perform at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, which was hosted March 12–15 at The Ohio State University. The NASA Biennial Conference is the foremost gathering of saxophone performers, scholars, and educators in North America, and a performance invitation represents a significant distinction for any ensemble.

At the conference, the Octet premiered two new compositions written specifically for the ensemble by LSU student composers Andrew Bass and Cameron Johnson. This rare opportunity spoke not only to the performers’ skill, but also to the collaborative spirit at the heart of the School of Music. The LSU Saxophone Octet is composed of Nathan Jasper, Preston Hernandez, Brennon Madere, Joseph Wolf, Owen Small, Logan Royer, Aria Morgan, and Kade Williamson.

What’s Next

As the year wraps up, the accomplishments of these students are a direct reflection of what is possible at the LSU School of Music. Our faculty are dedicated not only to developing technical excellence, but also to preparing students for meaningful careers in music—opening doors to competitions, festivals, workshops, and performance opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Come be a part of the amazing things happening here!

Congratulations once again to Preston, Nathan, Kade, and the entire LSU Saxophone Octet. We cannot wait to see what comes next for LSU’s saxophone studio.