Jess Gillam's World

February 2016

“One of the best young saxophonists in the UK” 

- Snake Davis

I have had such a great month! I have mainly been preparing for my BBC Young Musician Category Final Audition next month and have also performed a concerto with the Junior RNCM Symphony Orchestra.

Jess rehearsing 'Out of the Cool' by Dave Heath
with the Junior RNCM Symphony Orchestra

On Saturday, I performed Dave Heath’s “Out of the Cool” with the Junior RNCM Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Northern College of Music Concert Hall in Manchester conducted by Juan Ortuno. As I have said in previous blogs, I absolutely love performing concertos and I find the experience truly enjoyable – there is something about standing in front of an orchestra and performing a piece with so many different colours and sounds. Having rehearsed the concerto with the orchestra considerably more than if I was performing with a professional orchestra, I felt as though I knew the orchestral parts well and I felt very involved with the music.

Being filmed for BBC Young Musician

Some of the rehearsal for the concerto performance was filmed by BBC Young Musician to use in the backstory before my performance in the Woodwind Finals. I have been spending a lot of my time over the past month preparing for the competition, which will be televised in April/May. I have had to find a balanced practice routine where I can stay energised and focused throughout the whole of the session to ensure that I don’t practice bad habits.

Jess performing with John Harle

I have had lessons with John Harle and Rob Buckland and they have both helped me to find a practice routine that is focused and beneficial! As well as filming the concerto rehearsal, the BBC also filmed one of my lessons with John Harle in Canterbury, an interview with Rob Buckland and they also came to film in Ulverston (my home town) to interview me. I have enjoyed the filming very much and I am very interested to see how it will be edited!

BBC Young Musician of the Year 2016

I will be spending the next month focusing, researching and practicing my programme for the BBC Competition!

LINKS

www.jessgillamsax.co.uk

Follow Jess Gillam on Facebook

Follow @jessgillamsax on Twitter

Yanagisawa Saxophones UK

www.yanagisawasaxophones.co.uk

Vandoren UK

www.vandoren-en.com

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

North Star Series - The Kaleidoscope Saxophone Quartet

 Award-Winning Quartet
from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Play at the Helmsley Art Centre

Sunday 23rd March, 3.00pm
followed by tea & cake

Concert Details - Helmsley Art Centre

Tickets: £8 / U18s £4
Box Office: 01439 771700
www.helmsleyarts.co.uk

Address: Old Meeting House, Helmsley, York YO62 5DW

Kaleidoscope Saxophone Quartet

About Kaleidoscope Saxophone Quartet

The Kaleidoscope Saxophone Quartet is an innovative collaboration between four versatile young artists. The group's approach makes use of the diverse talents of its members, creatively combining musical performance, composition and film. Trained at top UK conservatoires including the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Northern College of Music, the quartet is steeped in the British saxophone tradition, with a broad, resonant, vocal sound and an energetic, communicative performing ethos.

As well as their work in music and film, the quartet is committed to the creation and performance of new music, and has commissioned and premiered works from an array of composers, whilst also possessing an extensive repertoire of the best of traditional saxophone music.

The Kaleidoscope Saxophone Quartet were winners of the June Emerson Wind Music Launchpad Prize 2013/14.

 

June Emerson Wind Music at the RNCM Sax Day - Sunday 28th October 2012

This popular annual RNCM Saxophone Day returns on 28 October 2012, with a stunning variety of concerts, workshops and the now traditional Massed Saxophones session. This year's special guests are the Apollo Saxophone Orchestra, Huw Wiggin and Tim Abel, and two quartets led by players at the forefront of the international jazz scene; Karen Sharp and Marius Neset.   

June Emerson Wind Music will be there too, with all our saxophone music and books. With such a comprehensive stock of music available for you to look through and buy, you can't afford not to come and see us! If you're going to be there and would like music put aside for you, please give as much notice as possible, as some things may be needed to be ordered in, which can take time.

For further info and booking please visit the RNCM website. 

 About The Royal Northern College of Music

The RNCM, formed in 1973 from the merger of the Royal Manchester College of Music with the Northern School of Music, has, for many years, been the first choice institution for a large number of aspiring professional musicians from the UK and overseas.

Students’ education and training is supported by an international teaching faculty of the highest calibre and facilities unparalleled among conservatoires in the UK. Four public venues host a performance programme that is unique in its range and quality, featuring a rolling programme of student performances alongside visiting artists and ensembles. Music is everywhere, and the energy between students, artists and audiences powers the RNCM’s reputation as a major international centre for education, training and performance.

June Emerson Wind Music at the RNCM Sax Day - Sunday 13th November 2011

We'll be taking all our saxophone music and books off the shelves and over to Manchester for the 11th annual Sax Day at the Royal Northern College of Music. With such a comprehensive stock of music available for you to look through and buy, you can't afford not to come and see us! If you're going to be there and would like music put aside for you, please give as much notice as possible, as some things may be needed to be ordered in, which can take time.

If you haven't yet registered for this hugely popular event, please visit www.rncm.ac.uk for booking details. This year's programme includes workshops, masterclasses and performances featuring John Harle, Julian Arguelles and Rob Buckland.

About the Royal Northern College of Music Saxophone Day

This year, the 11th RNCM Saxophone Day, we have another action packed day of concerts, masterclasses and workshops for saxophonists of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, covering a wide variety of saxophonic styles and genres. Special guests this year are all UK artists, celebrating the rich tradition of world class saxophone playing that we have in this country: John Harle joins the RNCM as featured classical guest, and Julian Argüelles makes his first appearance at the event as the featured jazz artist, in a duo with award-winning pianist Kit Downes.

As ever, there will be a comprehensive trade exhibition featuring the world’s leading instrument manufacturers, retailers and publishers, plus a series of creative workshops especially for young beginners.

Venue
The RNCM is located one mile south of Manchester City Centre, in the heart of the Education Quarter, on the corner of Oxford Road and Booth Street West. Oxford Road connects the RNCM by bus to the City Centre and all of Oxford Road, Piccadilly and Victoria train stations.