You may have to use a very dark mouthpiece and reed combination to satisfy this director. So be a pro, and produce what is asked for. But more often, composers for modern symphonic band are recognising the saxophone section as another distinct and useful voice. They are no longer hiding the saxophones in the low brass, but are utilizing the unique saxophone tone to great advantage. Solos and sax section soli passages are much more common.
Composers can now rely on, and demand, a high level of performance from saxophonists.
A more projecting tone, having a degree of edge, is required for these passages. For this modern literature you may wish to try the same type of mouthpiece and reed setup as would be used for theater pit band or big band playing. These brighter mouthpieces will also usually produce the altissimo notes more easily than very dark sounding mouthpieces. The player should be aware that due to conduction of the tone from the mouthpiece, through the teeth, and into the bones of the head, his tone will seem reedier that what is actually heard by listeners. The player should not judge his tone on what he hears of himself in a practice cubicle.