Here at Phoenix, our primary aim is to celebrate and advance the art of music, and to bring the versatility of the saxophone to a wider community audience, through rehearsal and performance of a varied repertoire.
We are an adult orchestra and currently have 17 members playing seven different types of saxophone, from the tiny sopranino through the more commonly-seen soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, to the enormous bass and contrabass sax.
We perform regularly, around 6 to 8 times a year, at bandstands, parks, churches and other venues throughout Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. We’ve also played further afield, at Newark Castle and the prestigious Southwell Music Festival.
We have strong links with other saxophone orchestras, nationally and internationally, and in 2023 travelled the 480 miles north to join our fellow Royal Philharmonic Society Award nominees Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra for two joint live concerts. This year, we’ll be heading South to the Isle of Wight to perform with Wight Sax in June, and back north in September to perform with Saxophone Orchestra Manchester.
We are very proud to have international saxophonist Gerard McChrystal as our Patron and to be sponsored by Saxtet Publications and Wiseman Cases.
Between us, our members have masses of experience playing with other saxophone groups, ensembles, orchestras, jazz, swing and many other types of band in the UK and, indeed, all over Europe.
We have players with different levels of musical ability and, what’s great about this group is that we all work together to support and help each other develop our musical skills.
We are a friendly, inclusive and supportive bunch, and we make a great sound too. So why not come along and join us?
Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Registered Charity Number 1196946, registered in England with its registered office at 14 Church Lane, Long Clawson, Leicestershire LE14 4ND.