Andrew Schoen

Saxophonist in the Aruna Quartet, Saxophone Instructor

Education: B.M. in Music Education, UNC Charlotte (2016)
M.M. in Music Performance, Texas Tech University (2018)
Doctor of Musical Arts, Texas Tech University (2020)

Hometown: Matthews, NC

Andrew Schoen first fell in love with music in his junior year of high school, while performing in the school’s jazz ensemble, marching band, and concert ensembles. During his senior year of high school, Andrew enrolled in private lessons with music alumnus Ben Still ’13 and was introduced to all of the possibilities of the saxophone and its repertoire. This further cemented his love for music, and he knew he wanted to pursue a career in music and teaching after graduating.

After graduating from UNC Charlotte, he felt prepared to pursue any direction in the field of music. Andrew said, “The faculty in the music department is world class, and I was able to gain incredible experiences through applied lessons, ensembles, and coursework.”

He especially enjoyed working with Dr. Campbell through applied lessons, jazz ensemble, and saxophone quartet. Andrew still regards him as an incredible mentor, and he uses the lessons he learned from studying with Dr. Campbell every day in his own teaching.

Currently, Andrew runs a large studio of saxophone students in San Antonio, Texas. He teaches private lessons to middle school and high school students and coaches competitive chamber ensembles, including the Quid Nunc Saxophone Quartet. Additionally, he is the baritone saxophonist for the Aruna Quartet. “Our ensemble is dedicated to commissioning new music, performing for audiences across the country, and presenting educational programs for K-12 and collegiate students,” Andrew says.

Most recently, his ensemble, the Aruna Quartet, worked with composer Viet Cuong to create a new chamber concerto for saxophone quartet and wind ensemble. They premiered ”Second Nature” with the Texas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and have taken the work to universities across the country as part of their collegiate residency program. He said, “Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to perform the piece with the UNC Charlotte Wind Ensemble and work with the incredible saxophonists of UNC Charlotte. It was a very special, full circle moment for me.”

His advice for current students: “Listen to your professors, collaborate with your peers, and PRACTICE! Take advantage of being on a university campus. Time and resources become harder to come by as you enter the work force.”