Masterclasses with performers and teachers with international careers.
3rd edition · São Miguel · Azores
FISA3
Azores International Saxophone Festival. Three days of concerts, masterclasses and exchange with leading performers and teachers.
13—15 NOV 2026
PONTA DELGADA · RELVA
PONTA DELGADA · RELVA
Why take part?
Learn, perform and connect in the Azores
Concerts, recitals and direct contact with different saxophone traditions.
A meeting point for students, amateur and professional musicians, and teachers.
Participation certificate for active participants and listeners.
FISA archiveArtistic direction and musical coordination
Hélio Soares
Founder and artistic director of the Azores International Saxophone Festival, responsible for the artistic concept and musical coordination of FISA III.
A Music graduate specialising in Wind Orchestra Conducting from the Lisbon School of Music, he is dedicated to contemporary repertoire, training young musicians and creating leading artistic projects in the Azores. He founded FISA and the CLARINANDO Festival and is artistic director of Filarmónica Nossa Senhora das Neves.
International line-up
Meet the guests
Performers, teachers and conductors gathered in the Azores for three days of music, learning and artistic exchange.
International headliner
Paweł Gusnar
Internationally acclaimed Polish saxophonist and educator, invited to FISA III as a soloist and teacher.
Discover their participation →
International quartet
BROS Saxophone Quartet
Gerard McChrystal, Antonio Felipe Belijar, João Pedro Silva and Mario Marzi bring together musicians from Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Italy in an energetic and innovative approach to chamber music.
Discover their participation →
Award-winning soloist
Guilherme Sousa
A student of Arno Bornkamp at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and winner of the 2025 Antena 2 Young Musicians Prize. He has performed at the Concertgebouw, Muziekgebouw, Gulbenkian Foundation and Casa da Música.
Discover their participation →
Guest conductor · Military Band concert
Luciano Pereira
Guest conductor exclusively for the FISA III concert with the Azores Military Band. Artistic director of the Wind Orchestra of the Chaves Academy of Arts and Banda Musical de Loivos.
Discover their participation →
Fotografia: Henri SELMER ParisGuest soloist · Military Band concert
Ricardo Pires
Portuguese saxophonist, D’Addario Woodwinds artist, member of the GNR Symphonic Band and teacher at the Sintra Conservatory. He appears as soloist on 14 November with the Azores Military Band, performing Claude T. Smith’s Fantasia under Luciano Pereira.
Discover their participation →FISA III programme
Three days dedicated to the saxophone
13NOV · Friday
Daytime programme and concert · Luís de Camões Auditorium · Ponta Delgada Regional Conservatory
- Masterclasses and educational sessions
- Official opening of FISA III
- Paweł Gusnar in concert with Filarmónica Nossa Senhora das Neves
14NOV · Saturday
Daytime programme and concert · Luís de Camões Auditorium · Ponta Delgada Regional Conservatory
- Masterclasses and training
- Azores Military Band concert with soloists Guilherme Sousa and Ricardo Pires
- Conducted by guest conductor Luciano Pereira
15NOV · Sunday
17:30 · Closing concert · Nossa Senhora das Neves Parish Church · Relva
- Educational activities and participant gathering
- BROS Saxophone Quartet recital
- Closing concert at Relva Church
Plan your visit
Practical information
Getting to São Miguel
João Paulo II Airport is in Ponta Delgada. Participants arrange their own travel and accommodation.
Accommodation
Recommended options and any partner offers will be published when confirmed.
Getting around
Activities take place mainly in Ponta Delgada and Relva. The final plan will include addresses and journey times.
What to bring
Your instrument, mouthpieces, reeds, strap, pencil and assigned repertoire. Any other requirements will be communicated to active participants.
Who can register?
Students, amateur and professional musicians, and teachers, as active participants or listeners.
What are the fees?
Conservatory students: €45 active / €25 listener. External participants: €55 active / €35 listener. Optional official T-shirt: €10 extra.
How do I pay?
By bank transfer or MB Way, following instructions from the organisers.
Is there a certificate?
Yes. A participation certificate will be issued according to your category and attendance.
Active participants and listeners
Join FISA III
Registration is open. Complete the form to receive confirmation and payment instructions by email.
Open registration formHistory and trust
A festival with a history, made in the Azores
FISA reaches its third edition after two editions devoted to education, audience development and encounters between Azorean musicians and international artists.
3.ªEdition3Days2Categories
Institutional support
Principal sponsors
Sponsors and partners
