Brittany Benoit - Saxophonist
Teen Jazz Hosting
By Shannon Kennedy
Name: Brittany Benoit
Instrument: Tenor Saxophone
Contact: heavenscent632@hotmail.com
Why she started playing the saxophone::
In our school in Alberta, Canada, we just started a band program when I was
in grade 8 with a wide range of instruments. None of them however, really
seemed to suite me. The flute was too small, I couldn't buzz my lips so
anything with that type of mouthpiece was out of the question, and clarinet
was not in my level of ability; but when I came across the saxophone I knew
this was the instrument for me. I originally wanted to play the Baritone
Saxophone but they had none available at St. John's Music to rent so I looked
at renting outside of this particular store but all the Baritone Saxophones
they had to rent were up to $350 a month. Way out of my price range.
Crushed, I went to my second choice, the Tenor Saxophone. I fell in love with
it instantly and picked up the notes faster than I had playing piano for 5
years prior. After playing for 4 months my parents saw that I actually kept it
sparkling clean and that I really loved to play it, so in June of 2004 they
surprised me by taking me to St. John’s Music once again to pick out my very
own Tenor. I picked out a Yamaha Bb Tenor Saxophone with the additional F#
key. It had amazing sound that just filled the room. About 2 weeks after
getting it we had a Spring Concert at our school to show off the brand new
band program and I, being as pro as I was (ha, not as good as I am now) got
a solo. The night of the performance the strap that was on my sax.
disconnected sending my Tenor to the floor. Horrified I picked it up and
inspected it, to my dismay there was a 5-inch dent right in the bottom where
the bell starts to take shape. I did end up getting it fixed a few days later
and there is a lovely scratch there as a friendly reminder.
Currently I am going into grade 10 and have been playing for 1 year and
approx. 6 months and still have the same Saxophone. I am the top Tenor
Saxophonist in my school along with one of my friends being the top Alto
Saxophonist. We do not have any Sopranos or Baritones available yet
(probably never will).
What she is currently doing with her music:
Right now I just finished an 8-week private lesson program on my sax at
Grant MacEwen Conservatory College in Edmonton and am playing at a
wedding this summer. I am continuing to play it in school concert band (class)
and stage band, this is basically where everyone who is excelling faster than
the teacher can teach us goes, after school.
What she plans on doing in the future::
I hope to make it far with my sax. because it really is the only thing that I
love. It’s an incredible instrument and I hope to learn how to play all of them
and maybe join a jazz band. There are 2 Grant MacEwen colleges in Edmonton
so I am planning to attend the Conservatory of Art and Music one for more
studies. If I can find one that I like and that I can afford, I would like to go to
a college anywhere in the world where I can learn more about music.
