The saxophone studio and ensemble at the University of Iowa, under the moniker of “Iowa Saxophonists’ Workshop,” is a group of diverse, talented saxophonists who have recently come from 5 continents (North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia). Over the past decade, there have been students from over 10 countries. ISW involves select students from the saxophone studio playing sopranino through tubax saxophones. The ensemble performs music of a variety of styles and difficulties and at times accompanies guest soloists. A public concert is given at the end of each school year. Besides local performances, the ensemble has also been featured at various regional and national conferences such as the Iowa Bandmasters Conference, North American Saxophone Alliance National Conference and the Midwest Clinic. 

These saxophonists are winning prizes at national and international competitions.  Most recently there was a winner at the 2024 St. Louis Artist Presentation Society Competition, finalists and prizewinners at the William Byrd International Young Artists Competition, 2020 Gold medal at the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, 2019 First prize in the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, 2019 First prize in the Encuentro Universitario Internacional De Saxofón México Competition and 2019 First and Third prizes at the Vandoren National Young Artist Competition.  Many of these students have also secured jobs at top universities throughout the United States, and are publishing solo CDs and video recordings of their individual performances.  As an ensemble, the studio has also recorded two compact disc recordings.  In summer of 2016, the ensemble embarked on its first Asian concert tour to Hong Kong and Chengdu, China.