George Theodos and his One-Handed Saxophones

Dr David Nabb, University of Nebraska at Kearney, USA

I propose a lecture with supporting a Powerpoint presentation and videos with sound reviewing the life and work of George Theodos (1928–2015).  Theodos was a musician, musical instrument repairman, and builder in the New Haven, Connecticut, area. His work remains influential for its high quality, craftsmanship, and innovative design, as well as for his inclusive philosophy towards persons living with disabilities. Geroge Theodos' most unique contributions were the saxophones he adapted from conventional layouts to one-handed mechanisms for persons with disabilities. The lecture will be based on a paper currently at press for the Fall 2024 issue of the Saxophone Symposium (the professional journal of the North American Saxophone Alliance).
   
Conventional saxophone designs typically exclude persons living with a disability from playing the instrument, although saxophones designed for one-handed playing have been built on a limited basis for over a hundred years.  More recently, the pace of innovation has accelerated. 
Only sparse and scattered documentation is available on how most of the early adapted saxophone efforts were initiated and carried out. 

Undifferentiated participation in music refers to musicians living with disabilities working side-by-side with able-bodied musicians, playing the same literature and working under the same conductor in rehearsal and performance. George Theodos’ modified saxophones enabled a handful of musicians with disabilities to play one-handed saxophones, and musicians playing Theodos’ instruments serve as early examples of truly undifferentiated participation in music. With Theodos at its centre, this group serves as a model today for contemporary instrument technicians and builders interested in adapting saxophones, as well as for anyone living with a disability who wishes to make music.

Word of George Theodos' work inspired David Nabb and Jeff Stelling to develop a toggle-key saxophone (first winner of the 2013 OHMI "playable instrument category" prize).  Nabb will demonstrate the toggle-key saxophone as part of this presentation.