Summer Saxes
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About Summer Saxes
Celebrate the joyful and varied soundworld of the saxophone in this relaxed course where you’ll get to play in different group sizes from quartets to whole saxophone choirs, across all kinds of music from jazz and classical repertoire to pop. Please note, this course slightly differs from our standard timetable, with a session from 2.30-4pm on Tuesday and finishing at lunchtime on Thursday.
What is the course about?
Enjoy the thrill of playing the saxophone together with other saxophonists in our popular Summer Saxes course, led by professionals and teachers Gerard McChrystal and Rachael Moorhead.
This course is all about embracing variety, so in one session you might be grooving to Van Morrison’s ‘Moondance’ in an octet and in the next, tackling Bach in a quartet. We’ll journey through all kinds of music from classical and jazz to pop and folk, and deepen your playing and musicianship skills in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
What will you learn?
By the end of the course you will:
Improve your sight reading and quick study skills of new music.
Discover a rich range of saxophone repertoire and develop your performance and musicianship skills.
Meet and play with a varied group of saxophone players and enjoy playing together in various different groupings.
How will the course be taught?
You’ll play in a range of different groupings in each session, from quartets to full sax choirs, with coaching from tutors Gerard and Alastair. There will also be time for technique classes and for individual coaching on specific technique issues.
This course slightly differs from our standard timetable, with a session from 2.30-4pm on Tuesday and finishing at lunchtime on Thursday.
Who is the course for?
For saxophone players looking to learn new skills and develop their ensemble playing with others. No formal training is required but you must be Grade 5 or equivalent and above, with the ability to read music.
Will music be provided and do you need to prepare or bring anything?
We’ll share the music at the start of the course so there’s no need to prepare anything in advance. Please bring your instrument with you - we encourage you to bring different types of saxophone if you have them. Please let us know which instruments you will be bringing at point of booking.
Course Tutors
Gerard McChrystal
Find out moreGerard McChrystal, born in Derry, Northern Ireland, was the first student to graduate from the Royal Northern College of Music with three awards.…
Alastair Penman
Find out moreHailed as a “pioneering instrumentalist and writer” and praised for his “surpassingly beautiful music” and “undoubtedly brilliant mind”, saxophonist…
“A friendly, non-judgmental environment (with fabulous food) where you get unique opportunities to test your musical abilities!”
