It gave me great pleasure to take SaxAssault to the Royal Northern
College of Music in Manchester a couple of days ago, sharing the
concert with Julian Arguelles. The concert sponsor was Mawdsleys, who
commissioned me to write a new work for the occasion. I called the
piece 'Group S' and it was premiered alongside arrangements that I
completed of 'Fujiko' (originally written for the British Clarinet
Ensemble) and 'Salt of the Earth' (originally the third movement of
the Tuba Concerto, Les Neish & Fodens). Two new works were written,
'Sabretooth' by Mike Hall & 'What Might Have Been' by Rob Buckland,
both fine pieces! SaxAssault rehearsed the day before the RNCM gig &
the band presented nearly 40 minutes worth of new music, all in a 60- minute programme! What great players!!
Above is a photo from the
rehearsal in the RNCM Concert Hall (saxes only, apologies to our fine
rhythm section). Plans are already underway for a third SaxAssault CD
in 2009.
Andy Scott
SaxAssault@RNCM 25th April 2008
Left to Right: Rob Buckland, Carl Raven, Simon Willescroft, Jim
Muirhead, Andy Scott, Mike Hall, John Helliwell, Andy Findon & Jim Fieldhouse.
Note : Carl looks a little perplexed :)
