Saxophony: A Musical Celebration

On Saturday 13^th July 2024, Saxophony was performed at St Mark’s Church, Rugby in a celebration of all the wonderful musicians with whom Samuel has played with over the years.

He was joined by performers hailing from across the local area and beyond, including representatives from the Rugby Music Union and the nationally acclaimed Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra – whose members play seven different types of saxophone, from the tiny sopranino through to the more commonly-seen soprano, alto, tenor and baritone, down to the giant bass and contrabass. Several young musicians from youth organizations such as the Leicestershire Schools Music Service and Hinckley Area Schools Orchestra were also invited to perform, showcasing the finest of the next generation of musical talent.

Saxophony was curated to individually highlight musicians and ensembles from throughout his musical journey. Therefore, the majority of the repertoire featured was specially arranged for the concert, resulting in nine premieres out of a setlist of fourteen. Samuel, alongside arrangers Jonathan Shaw and Sarah Spurr, were commissioned for many of these specialist works.

The concert involved performances featuring a variety of ensembles, including string quartets, jazz combos, saxophone quartets and even a low saxophone choir, spotlighting the mighty contrabass saxophone in its only UK concert outing in 2024. The main event, however, was a massed saxophone orchestra that raised the roof with its truly electrifying sound. From classical music, jazz and folksong, to tango, modern pop and film music, Saxophony was a celebration of music in its purest form – highlighting the friendships and connections it forms.