Andreas van Zoelen is many things—a saxophonist, conductor, professor, collector, and researcher—but above all, he’s someone who follows his curiosity wherever it leads. As a professor of classical saxophone at Fontys Academy of the Arts, he shares his knowledge with students from all over the world. But his passion for the saxophone extends far beyond the classroom.

His journey into the world of rare and historic saxophones started unexpectedly when, as a young student, he laid eyes on a dusty baritone saxophone hanging in his teacher’s music room. That moment sparked a lifelong obsession, leading him to acquire his first antique saxophones—an early 1900s alto with two octave keys and a Conn straight-neck C melody. His collection grew steadily, one instrument at a time, evolving into something he never quite anticipated: a full-fledged saxophone museum. Not one to keep knowledge to himself, he built an online home for his collection, saxophonemuseum.online, where enthusiasts and researchers can explore the history of the instrument in depth.

Beyond collecting, Andreas is an active performer and collaborator. He joined the world-renowned Raschèr Saxophone Quartet in 2014, taking over the tenor saxophone role from founding member Bruce Weinberger. With the quartet, he has traveled the globe, performing and leading masterclasses. He has also worked with major orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic and the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, and has collaborated with artists like Stewart Copeland and Markus Stockhausen. As a soloist, he’s recorded over 40 albums and championed new music—more than 140 pieces have been composed specifically for him.

His academic pursuits are just as impressive. In 2021, he earned his PhD from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, focusing on the Raschèr saxophone tradition and its connection to Adolphe Sax’s legacy. His research has also led to a well-regarded book on the saxophone’s history in the Netherlands, and he regularly contributes articles to international publications.

As a composer and arranger, Andreas has worked with ensembles and orchestras worldwide. Notably, Arvo Pärt personally approved his saxophone arrangements, and he has collaborated closely with composer Fazil Say. His passion for historical performance extends to Edition Sax, an ensemble dedicated to performing early saxophone repertoire on instruments built by Adolphe Sax himself.

For Andreas, the saxophone isn’t just an instrument—it’s a gateway to history, art, and endless discovery. Through performance, teaching, research, and collecting, he’s dedicated his life to exploring every corner of its rich legacy and sharing it with the world.

Andreas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-van-zoelen-010987b/
Andreas's website: https://vanzoelen.eu/
Fonty's website: https://www.fontys.nl/Over-Fontys/Wie-we-zijn.htm
Saxophone museum online: https://saxophonemuseum.online/about/


Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
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Andreas Van Zoelen - Keeper of Saxophone Secrets, Collector of Stories

"Verrat", from '12 Songs', Edvard Grieg
Arranged by Harry Kinross White
Andreas van Zoelen, Solo Bass Saxophone
Raschèr Saxophone Orchestra
Bruce Weinberger, conductor
Burghof Lörrach, Germany, December 6., 2002

Verrat, Edvard Grieg, arr. Harry Kinross White

This is the premiere recording from the 2025 North American Saxophone Alliance Region 7 Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee! Program notes coming soon!

Reiterations for Sax Ensemble - Darius D. Edwards

Night Bird by Karen Tanaka

A short recording of the Pequeña Czarda Duet performed by Isaiah Rodriguez

Pequeña Czarda - Pedro Ituralde Duet - Isaiah Rodriguez

A three-movement piece for soprano saxophone and piano, Interests highlights the instrument’s unique timbre and capabilities. Starting with a stately, canonic first movement entitled “Mass Movement,” we hear an intertwined melody that moves throughout both parts. This is followed by an emotional second movement, “Sunset Reflections On The Window Pane,” that shifts between two main themes, and concludes with a hectic and energetic third movement, “A Philosophical Exchange.” Interests brings both performer and listener to a variety of emotional states.

Mass Movement

A Philosophical Exchange

Sunset Reflections On The Window Pane

This is a piece I wrote starting in 2024 and finishing in summer of 2025. This is my first saxophone quartet that I have composed and I wanted to try to create an air of the soprano saxophone going somewhat rogue and having to be roped back into the group as a whole, however as the piece progressed I had an idea with a few of the larger harmonized licks to be more rebellious sounding while also giving the tenor and alto saxophones solos in the middle of the piece. The last section creates a return to a less rebellious and described as an almost "Messianic" sound of longing to be forgiven for their acting out.

DevIOus for Saxophone Quartet

Tableaux De Provence Mvmt. V

I’m a composer, multi-instrumentalist, educator and co-founder/owner of D. S. Musiks. I love to write for woodwind instruments, specifically solo and chamber music works. I have a passion for double feeds, low clarinets, and recorder/flute, but also love to write for all instruments. I am dedicated to the creation of solo works for auxiliary instruments and find the greatest joy in life when sharing my music and performing. Please visit dsmusiks.com for a full catalog of my works as well as works by many other composers!

Percussionist and Composer based out of Tucson, Arizona currently working on a DMA in Percussion with a minor in Composition

Darius Edwards is an award-winning saxophonist and composer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Saxophone Performance and a minor in Music Composition.

New tracks tagged #classical saxophone