2017 Launchpad Prize Winners #3

Introducing...

Aesthesia Saxophone Quartet

(Royal College of Music)

The Players

Jonathan Vaux - soprano sax
Daniel Scott - alto sax
Stephanie Frankland - tenor sax
Ashley Brand - baritone sax

Biography

The London based Aesthesia Saxophone Quartet is an award-winning chamber ensemble from the Royal College of Music, studying under Kyle Horch. Despite having only recently formed in September 2016, the members (Jonathan Vaux, Daniel Scott, Stephanie Frankland and Ashley Brand) have developed a strong affinity with one another, and this is apparent through their communicative approach to performance.At the 2017 Nordic Saxophone Festival in Aarhus, Denmark, the Aesthesia Quartet performed in a masterclass with Evgeni Novikov, following which they were asked to also give an evening recital. Closer to home, they were given the opportunity to play in a masterclass led by Melanie Henry.Recently, the group were awarded the June Emerson Launchpad Prize in the Royal College of Music’s Woodwind Chamber Competition and are supported by Talent Unlimited.

June Emerson Wind Music would like to thank Alice Kelley for organising 

the awarding of the Launchpad Prize at the Royal College of Music.

Links

Aesthesia Saxophone Quartet

aesthesia.quartet@gmail.com

Royal College of Music

www.rcm.ac.uk

One Day Saxophone Festival

London - Saturday 4th June 2016

Ian Stewart writes:

In Notting Hill, London on Saturday, 4th June (2016) there is a one day festival, organised by saxophone player Kyle Horch, concert promoter Richard Carruthers, and myself, celebrating the classical saxophone in chamber music. There are now more pieces being written for saxophone in less usual ensembles and more players performing these pieces. However these works are rarely heard in recitals, hence the reason for this festival.

Most of these pieces are original works for saxophone. There are two works by Berlin composer Christian Biegai, a classical saxophone player himself who also played with Antony and the Johnsons; two works by London based Australian composer John Carmichael, a new work for EWI wind synthesizer by Charlotte Harding, and four works by myself.

Hayley Lambert has been giving concerts under the title of “The Poetic Saxophone” for sometime, with Aileen Thomson, soprano voice, and pianist Paul Taylor. The repertoire for voice and saxophone is still small and Hayley has managed to track down most of them. In this recital, besides the English language settings, Aileen will also be singing in Catalan.

Naomi Sullivan will be performing with viola, tape and piano in various combinations, including the U.K. premiere of Biegai’s TV Nation, for soprano saxophone, piano and recordings of American TV channel hopping. She will also be premiering the revised version of my work “Transit Of Venus” for soprano saxophone, pre-recorded voice and electronics. This work was commissioned for Naomi at the time of the real transit of venus in 2012.

The festival begins with a more traditional saxophone and piano recital by Kyle Horch, who then leads Flotilla in the fourth recital. Flotilla’s repertoire explores reflection, echo, and memory, in mainly contemporary works drawing upon antecedents such as liturgical polyphony and folk music.

Alistair Parnell will be giving a recital for unaccompanied EWI wind synthesizer. Although the keyboard synthesizer is now being used in classical music, this is a rare chance to hear the wind version. The festival finishes with Andy Tweed and Karen Street performing an original jazz set with saxophone and free-bass accordion.

Pianists Pavel Timofeyevsky and Yshani Perinpanayagam will be playing with both Naomi and Kyle, and Naomi’s recital also features Katya Lazareva playing viola and Alistair Parnell sound projection.

The festival runs from 2-9 pm.

For more information, programme & biographies: http://www.ianstewart.eu/saxophone2016

Birmingham Saxophone Day

Sunday 18th October 2015

9.30am to 6.30pm

at Birmingham Conservatoire

The ever evolving Saxophone Department at Birmingham Conservatoire is one of the most vibrant and creative in the UK.

We throw open our doors and invite saxophone students, teachers and enthusiasts to take part in workshops, improvisation classes, ensemble coaching, quartet side-by-side sessions and much more.

Improve your ensemble skills, learn rehearsal techniques, pick up playing tips, check out new gear and discover new music, sharing the pleasure of playing the saxophone with like-minded enthusiasts. The day is open to saxophonists of all abilities, however an approximate level of grade 3 and above is advisable to get the most out of the day.

Your saxophone experts for the day will be the Conservatoire's Saxophone Department head, Naomi Sullivan alongside Conservatoire tutors Andy Tweed and Anna Brooks.

Special guest is Kyle Horch, visiting saxophone consultant, who will present a lunchtime performance with his critically acclaimed ensemble, Flotilla.

There will also be a good selection of trade stands at the event, including June Emerson Wind Music. We'll be taking all our saxophone music and books (approx. 48 boxes!) for you to browse through and buy. Card and cash payments accepted on the day.

Price:

£20 (£15 CASS members/U18)

Book HERE

Birmingham Conservatoire

www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire

Launchpad Prize Winner's Profile No.4: Hestia Saxophone Quartet

THE PLAYERS

Lucinda Dunne - soprano sax

Alžbeta Klásova - alto sax

Hannah Washer - tenor sax

Claire Shaw - baritone sax

BIOGRAPHY

Hestia Saxophone Quartet formed at the Royal College of Music in September 2013 and comprises of undergraduate students from the UK and Slovakia. The ensemble rehearses and performs together on a regular basis and is coached by Kyle Horch.

Enjoying a diverse range of music, Hestia have already given a variety of performances from a masterclass taken by saxophonists Frank Timpe and Nacho Gascon, to several concerts held at venues including the Royal College of Music’s Recital Hall, Regent's Hall Piccadilly, Holy Innocents Church, London and BAFTA. The group recently won the June Emerson Wind Music Launchpad Prize 2015 at the RCM Woodwind Ensemble Competition and is looking forward to performing as part of a Chamber Essentials concert at the RCM.

Lucinda Dunne previously studied at Chetham's School of Music and has performed with orchestras such as National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra in notable venues including The Sage Gateshead and Royal Festival Hall.

Alžbeta Klásova is a graduate of the Košice Conservatoire (Slovakia), and is currently an RCM Foundation Scholar supported by a Dr Michael West Award.

Hannah Washer studies alongside her fellow quartet members at the Royal College of Music under the tuition of Kyle Horch. She is also currently principle saxophonist with the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales which has seen her perform world premieres and take part in international tours.

Claire Shaw is a second year undergraduate student at the RCM and is currently enjoying her studies with Martin Robertson, as well as ensemble coaching from Kyle Horch.

Email:

hestiasax@gmail.com

June Emerson Wind Music would like to thank Simon Channing for organising the 

awarding of the Launchpad Prize at the Royal College of Music.

LINKS

Royal College of Music
www.rcm.ac.uk