Decho Ensemble

Hailed a “winning combination in every way!” the Decho Ensemble was founded in 2011 by saxophonists Sarah Marchitelli and Jacob Swanson. Critically acclaimed for their “blend and precision” the two have collaborated with poets, dance companies, chamber orchestras, and other instrumentalists to present unique and varied programs. With collaborative saxophonists Nicholas Childs and Jared Yackiw, the Decho Ensemble has furthered the voice of the saxophone presenting quartet programs throughout the North Eastern United States.

The Decho Ensemble has performed on concert series, television, and radio throughout the North America and in Europe. In addition to concert series, the Decho Ensemble has presented at The United States Navy International Saxophone Symposium in Winchester, Virginia and Fairfax, Virginia as well as the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference in Champagne-Urbana, Illinois.

Collaborating with composers, presenting standard repertoire, and adapting old works for two saxophones the Decho Ensemble continues to push boarders and broaden the saxophone’s voice in classical chamber music. Since their establishment, the Decho Ensemble has collaborated with composers Andrew Martin Smith, Charles Terranova, Peter Edwards, Dan Knorr, Scott Miller, Nathan Hall, David Marc Alterman, Frank Zabel, Michael McGough, Kate Parker, and Tim Bausch to create new works for saxophone - some with electronic media.

As educators, Swanson and Marchitelli share their passion for music, the saxophone, and collaboration with their students. Marchitelli serves on faculty at the State University of New York at Fredonia and is the Director of Instruction at Infinity Visual and Performing Arts in Jamestown, New York. Swanson teaches instrumental music for the Gowanda Central School District in Gowanda, New York, the New Horizons Band of Western New York, and Jamestown Community College. Both Marchitelli and Swanson maintain private studios at Infinity Visual and Performing Arts where they founded and co-direct the Infinity Saxophone Ensemble. Nicholas Childs serves as Teaching Assistant for the Saxophone Studio at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Yackiw is the President of the Ethos New Music Society and serves at Teaching Assistant for the Composition Studio at the State University of New York at Fredonia.


The Decho Ensemble performs on vintage Buescher saxophones built in the in the United States.