I am very proud of the Markham Awards, which I set up in 2013. I have always valued my teaching as an integral and important part of my career as a saxophonist. I love to perform, work on new projects, collaborate with composers and fellow musicians. But I also love to work with students and watch their development. It was important to me to find a way to celebrate their achievements. Setting up the Markham Award in 2013 gave me a chance to do this. The cash award from me allows my graduating student to buy something useful for them as they embark on their next stage in life, sometimes continuing their education, sometimes into work. With the support of my sponsors, Yamaha, Vandoren, and Saxtet Publications, they also receive gifts, another acknowledgement and celebration of what they have achieved to date.

But learning is not about being the best. In fact, that’s not the most important aspect at all.

My parents have always encouraged me and my brother to be the best we can be. By learning we can discover and develop. I am committed to the personal development of my students’ journey. I aim to help them find out what is important to them, how they can improve as a musician in a way that works for them, and to find their path as they carve out a career.

When my father died in 2018, I established another award, this time in his name and his memory – The Ralph Markham Achievement Award. In a personal way, I can use this award to celebrate and continue his legacy. You can read more about my father in The Ralph Markham Award blog. This award is given to a student in recognition of their personal achievements and development. It might be someone who is graduating from learning with me, or it could be someone who has particularly excelled that academic year with their personal goals, and I want to celebrate them.

The 2023 recipient of The Ralph Markham Achievement Award is Keana Miller. Keana began her studies with me on the Foundation Year course at Leeds Conservatoire in 2019. A keen and committed saxophone player, Keana worked hard throughout her four years at Leeds Conservatoire to develop her playing, with a focus on core repertoire, lyricism in music, and research into under represented composers. As well as her solo work, Keana also specialised in chamber music, working with other saxophonists in quartets, quintets, and trios, and also in a duo with pianist Tara Wilson.

Having graduated from Leeds Conservatoire in 2023, Keana has plans to continue to develop her playing whilst building her career in music, combining teaching, arts administration, and of course her saxophone playing. Keana receives a cash award from me, a Yamaha Digital Saxophone from Yamaha, saxophone reeds from Vandoren, and a piece of solo saxophone music from Saxtet Publications.

You can find out more about The Markham Awards here.