Saxday 2011 report

March 11, 2011 · by · in

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More than fifty saxophonists descended on Nottingham’s Djanogly Arts Centre for a packed day of playing and learning about the saxophone.  Tutors Alistair Parnell, Sarah Markham, Naomi Sullivan, Julia Mills and Nicola Pennill were on hand throughout the day to run masterclasses and ensemble sessions. Windblowers Music Shop supported the day and provided a stand with instruments, accessories and music in the foyer, and supplied refreshments throughout the day.

The structure of the day enabled everyone to sit in on at least one of the masterclass sessions in the recital hall, to observe an ‘open’ lesson and for question and answer sessions.  Groups of four to forty plus players were put together and coached through a range of repertoire.  Lots of players of all levels of experience took advantage of Julia Mills’ jazz workshop. Everyone then had a chance to play together in a mass blow to end the afternoon.  There was also a steady stream of activity at the Windblowers stand as people tried out instruments and accessories. 

After a full day of playing, the evening concert provided a great culmination to the day’s events.  Participants played pieces prepared during the day, and family and friends came along to enjoy the occasion.  There were also performances from the Aurora saxohone ensemble, and solo performances from Sarah Markham, with a movement from James Rae’s Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Naomi Sullivan and Jacob TV’s intriguing ‘Garden of Love’.  The tutors performed a lively version of Bach’s Badinerie.  The concert ended with a rousing performance of Mise en Sax by the massed saxes.

The next one day saxophone event is planned for March 2013, whilst in 2012 it is extended to a full weekend.