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Client testimonials for Wilton Elder from clients, music artists, talent buyers, band directors, students, and their parents.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our day truly unforgettable!”

We wanted to write you and thank you for making such great music at our reception. Everybody had such a great time! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making our day truly unforgettable!

Anna & Tyler Mechem | Cousar-Mechem Wedding Reception at McCrady’s Restaurant, July 2, 2011

“If you are looking for not only a fantastic saxophone player but also an easy to work with professional, Wilton Elder is the man for the job.”

Wilton Elder is one of the most professional musicians I have worked with. He has served as our substitute saxophone player for the past couple years and his only downfall is he is in such demand we cannot hire him more often. If you are looking for not only a fantastic saxophone player but also an easy to work with professional, Wilton Elder is the man for the job.

Dan Sine | Band Manager, Soul Function® Band

“It is really nice to know someone that is not only really talented but reliable and fun to play with all in one.”

I just wanted to take the time to thank you for playing with our band this past weekend. It is really nice to know someone that is not only really talented but reliable and fun to play with all in one. That is hard to find these days. The bride and groom had a blast and specifically complimented your playing along with the band. Thanks again for all the help and let me know if you ever need a recommendation. We will definitely be calling you in the future and look forward to it.

Michael Ruthsatz | Permanent Vacation

“Thank you for making this a special day for Laura & Joseph.”

John Saunders | Permanent Vacation

“We hope to continue our relationship with you and would happily recommend you to our friends and family for any occasion!”

Thank you for performing at Aloft Charleston Airport & Convention Center for the past two years during Valentine’s Weekend! You offer our audience such a unique musical experience by setting the mood for our events. Our guests and staff always enjoy your performances and are truly appreciative of such a gifted musician. Not only are you a talented saxophonist, but you are very professional when it comes to booking events and maintaining communication, and for that we are appreciative. We hope to continue our relationship with you and would happily recommend you to our friends and family for any occasion! We look forward to future events with you!

Georgia Somers Maky | Sales Coordinator, Aloft Charleston Airport & Convention Center

“His music was the perfect complement to the festive, but sophisticated event.”

Saturday, September 5, 2009 Wilton Elder played saxophone music for the engagement party of Paula Jones and Patrick Angelos. The party was held at McCrady’s of Charleston, SC in the Long Room and I was one of four hostesses. Wilton was recommended to me by a friend and colleague, Kyle LeGette. Wilton was incredibly professional throughout the planning of the evening. He responded to all of my email communication promptly, arrived well before the event began, and played throughout the party. His music was the perfect complement to the festive, but sophisticated event. Everyone enjoyed the music greatly and praised his talent afterwards. The hostesses and I were equally pleased with his performance and professionalism and certainly will recommend him to others. I look forward to working with Wilton again!

Kaminer Haislip

“Thank you for your expertise and for making the entire experience so enjoyable!”

Musically speaking you have energized me to pursue the piano again. I was somewhat apprehensive about taking up piano again after a forty-nine year leave of absence, but you have sparked my enthusiasm!

In addition, I appreciate the fact that your teaching is not regimented but rather – you have a more relaxed approach and understood that my goal was to play for my own enjoyment as well as to progress in knowledge and ability.

You also introduced me to music theory, chord progressions, etc. which makes the entire process so much more logical to me!

Thank you for your expertise and for making the entire experience so enjoyable!

Marti Merryman

“Thanks for helping us out with the 5th grade recruiting night. Always great to see you.”

Jeff Scott | Director of Bands, Cario Middle School

“He is a very talented instructor and has helped Jack prepare for many concerts & auditions.”

My son Jack has been taking lessons with Wilton Elder for over two years. I know Jack would not be doing as well as he is on saxophone without Wil’s lessons. He is a very talented instructor and has helped Jack prepare for many concerts & auditions. He always has tasks for Jack to work on between lessons, but he is also very good at finding the student’s musical goals & helping them work towards that. Wil is very nice & takes time with his students and their parents. I highly recommend him.

Sue Gonzales

“Wilton is an amazing instructor and I thank him for all he has done for me.”

Wilton has helped me improve tremendously over the past year. I went from sitting in concert band to 1st chair wind ensemble, 1st chair Allcounty band, 2nd chair Allcounty jazz band, and 1st chair jazz band at my highschool. He has taught me things in my lessons that apply to music as well as life. I have had a lot more confidence with my playing since I’ve been taking lessons with hi. Lessons have helped me succeed and accomplish things in music I never thought I could. I never fully cared about band, but after these lessons, I have got the motivation and determination to perfect what I love to do. I have obtained other goals because of these lessons and have accomplished them. Such as becoming head Drum Major of our Marching band for the 2011-2012 school year, to taking on leadership activities. Wilton has helped me excel exponentially over the past year. Wilton is an amazing instructor and I thank him for all he has done for me.

Alyssa Yones | Cane Bay High School, Class of 2013

“You have helped instill confidence in her that was a big part of her success in making the All-County and All-Region bands this year.”

Just wanted to express my appreciation for your teaching Caroline in alto saxophone lessons. Thanks to your expertise she has really improved a lot over the last 2 years. In addition, you have helped instill confidence in her that was a big part of her success in making the All-County and All-Region bands this year. I also am grateful that you offer lessons at home for us working parents! Thanks so much for everything as we are so fortunate to have you as Caroline’s teacher.

Anne-Marie Fields

“Wilton Elder is THE best instructor any young saxophonist could ask for.”

Wilton Elder is THE best instructor any young saxophonist could ask for. I’ve been a student of his for three years. No matter how many times I may mess up, he always encourages me to keep trying. He works tirelessly, whether it’s a few minutes after the lesson for an explanation, or telling me about recordings of other players to use in practice. Lessons with Wilton are the high point of my week. He’s helped me so much in multiple aspects of playing, but best of all in jazz and scales. He’s extremely skilled as a musician, so I know I’m getting really good information. I hope to continue taking lessons with him for many years to come.

Patrick Magwood | Wando High School, Class of 2013

“Any success I have had over my six years as his student I whole heartedly attribute to his guidance as a teacher and a friend.”

To know Wilton is to know a man who is truly a musician. He genuinely loves and respects music and is vastly knowledgeable regarding its history, theory, and practice.

As a teacher, Wilton brings much to the table. But more important than his skill or his knowledge are his respect for his students and his willingness to allow his students to discover their own methods of performing and being musicians.

As my teacher, Wilton speaks to me as an equal: as a musician with valid musical ideas and opinions about music. Never has he told me “this is how you have to do” something or “this is the only right way to practice.” I feel that I have been allowed to become a much better musician because I chose my own methods of practicing and formed my own opinions.

As an older student (currently his eldest), I use my lesson time as a time to seek guidance and ask Wilton’s opinion on my music, or about music in general. I have had lessons where both of us played for the entire time, lessons where only I played while he listened and gave his opinion, and lessons where neither of us played and we talked about performance, theory, or music in general.

Any success I have had over my six years as his student I whole heartedly attribute to his guidance as a teacher and a friend.

Michael Owens | Wando High School, Class of 2012

“The success principles he taught me in lessons have not only helped me in my music but have guided me in dealing with everyday life challenges as well.”

Having taken lessons from Wilton Elder the majority of my career at Wando, I can personally say that he is an inspiring teacher. Not only did he help me reach the goals I set for myself, but he also encouraged me to develop new ones along the way. The success principles he taught me in lessons have not only helped me in my music but have guided me in dealing with everyday life challenges as well.

Georg Schmelzer | Wando High School, Class of 2007

“We chose Wilton Elder because of his impressive background as a well-versed performer and advanced education in music.”

We chose Wilton Elder because of his impressive background as a well-versed performer and advanced education in music. Our daughter has thrived under his tutelage–her skill set and all-around musical knowledge have improved. Wilton’s can-do attitude is motivational, self-esteem building and has helped our daughter develop the confidence she needs to perform. We look forward to working with him throughout our daughter’s high school years.

Tamara Kasper

“I would highly recommend Wilton to anyone that is interested in becoming a good saxophone player.”

Our daughter, Lizzy, has been playing saxophone for the last two years and the entire time she has taken private lessons with Wilton Elder. He has helped her improve her fingering, scales, preparing for auditions and overall technique.

Our daughter looks forward to going to her lessons and asks us to schedule additional sessions on top of her weekly lessons when Wilton is available. He communicates very well and knows how to encourage his students to achieve their personal goals.

I would highly recommend Wilton to anyone that is interested in becoming a good saxophone player.

Jeannie & Charlie Franco

“As an artist, Wilton is extremely skilled, knowledgeable, versatile, and creative. As an instructor, he is consistent, professional, and patient.”

I know Wilton as a performer and as a teacher of my 12 year old son. As an artist, Wilton is extremely skilled, knowledgeable, versatile, and creative. As an instructor, he is consistent, professional, and patient.

Kelly Eldridge

“Mr. Elder has helped me learn how to set and achieve my goals…”

Mr. Elder has helped me learn how to set and achieve my goals, and since the beginning, he has given me an edge against competing saxophonists at the county, region and state levels.