The National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain is based in Birmingham (it currently rehearses monthly at the Hippodrome), but it attracts talented players from all over the country. Its 40 enterprising members play a unique family of 8 saxes, ranging from the tiny soprillo to mighty tubax, creating a versatile and lively ensemble which encourages new writing and extrovert performances.
The choir was established in 2002 by Nigel Wood and its first gigs were on the streets of Birmingham, at the 2003 and 2004 Birmingham ArtsFests. It has also promoted concerts at St Martin in the Bull Ring and the CBSO Centre and in February this year, played a major role in the Gala Concert of the 2005 British Saxophone Congress at the Birmingham Conservatoire, including solo performances by Gilad Atzmon and Arno Bornkamp.
The NSC’s major project to date is a ten-show run at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe, plus appearances in the Cavalcade, prestigious Fringe Party and numerous busking slots. The show was a word-of-mouth hit, playing to a capacity audience on its final day, when it reached number one in the new audience text vote system published daily by The Scotsman. A pre-Edinburgh CD ‘Sax in the City’ is available.
The choir is independent, has a ‘will-do’, co-operative spirit and is willing to consider most musical challenges. If you would like to book it, sponsor it, write for it or join it, visit the website at www.saxchoir.com. where there are details of future events, plus a great deal more information about the choir and its activities.
