Bolton School Saxberries Performance

Website(s) : http://www.boltonschooljazzband.com

The Saxberries are a group of ten saxophonists and a percussionist who all attend Bolton School. Pupils within the Ensemble are aged between 13 and 19.

Biography

The Saxberries are a group of 10 saxophonists and a percussionist who all attend Bolton School. Members of the group are drawn from both divisions of the school and perform regularly with our school saxophone choir. Pupils within the ensemble are between grade 6 and diploma level in standard and are aged between 13 and 19. The popularity of the saxophone within the school has thrived over the past decade and with over 40 students now taking lessons we have been able to explore the opportunity of a large saxophone ensemble. Over the past few years these students have been involved in numerous fundraising events in order to purchase additional instruments within the saxophone family.

More information

At the beginning of this Accademic year the School formed a Saxophone ensemble inviting all students who were grade 3 and above to join. In addition to this the more advanced students formed a saxophone choir which they named the Saxberries. This group would now like to broaden their performance opportunites by giving a recital as part of the Festivals program

The group mainly performs Contemporary British Music by saxophonists such as Andy Scott and Nigel Wood. This choice of repertoire has been both introduced and strongly influenced by their attendance at the Annual Saxophone Day at the RNCM in November. The day offered the group the opportunity to participate in a ‘Massed’ Saxophone Orchestra and see a contra bass saxophone for the first time. They have also been influenced by the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain and Sax Assault.

Such contemporary repertoire has provided the students with the opportunity to explore a number of extended techniques. For many it has given them an accessible way of approaching such techniques which they would perhaps find too daunting or challenging if met within their individual repertoire. In order to develop techniques such as false fingering the group has had to study the harmonic series and develop the production of such tones. Studying such advanced techniques has provided them with an opportunity to work together, not only in encouraging those who have found it difficult but also the importance of group practice. This has lead to new friendships being formed and a unique bond within the group.

Participating in such a recital as part of the Youth weekend of the festival would be an opportunity of a lifetime and one that I’m sure they would relish. Performing at such a prestigious festival and within the local region would enable them to broaden their performance experiences and develop their choir further. It would also give them the opportunity to listen to other youth ensembles and of course experience the professional recitals which would be of great inspiration to them.

Finally It would be fantastic if they could take part in the 100 Young European saxophonists event in addition to performing an individual recital.