Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra’s Christmas charity single has raised an amazing £839 for local charity Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (VASL), more than treble the original £250 fundraising target set by the group!

The orchestra’s version of Gaudete! features 14 saxophonists playing six different types of saxophone. The accompanying YouTube video has been viewed nearly 500 times.

Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra’s Communications Director Jane Smith says: “We’d like to thank everyone who has supported this project and helped us raise this fantastic amount for VASL. Every penny counts and we simply couldn’t have done it without you!”

In particular, Phoenix would like to thank the parishioners of St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Harrington, where some of the saxophonists accompanied an outdoor carol concert just before Christmas, for their generous £124 donation; local band ‘The Arthur Park’ who raised £135 by auctioning a rare copy of their limited edition vinyl single ‘The Life of Stanley’ (More info below); and local PR company LE16 Communications, who got the ball rolling with a £100 donation.

Maureen O’ Malley, Charity Manager for VASL, said “We are so grateful to Phoenix Sax for this considerable donation to our funds. To produce something which brings such pleasure to those who hear it is a very special gift and we thank all of the musicians and those involved in promoting single, as well as those of you who made donations. The money raised will be used to support those in our community who are lonely and isolated and those who are caring for family members. Thank you again.”

Linda Jones, VASL’s Chair of Trustees added: “My great thanks to the Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra for this great idea and for contributing to our work at VASL. It is a joyful piece of music which will also have given pleasure during a difficult Christmas period.”

If you’d like to make a donation to the project in support of VASL, you can still do so at justgiving.com/fundraising/PhoenixSax.

The Life of Stanley

‘The Life of Stanley’ from ‘The Arthur Park’ is a jaunty tribute to legendary comedian Stanley Unwin, written by band member Pete Bowman. The track has been released by Fruit de Mer Records Ltd as a limited edition (600 copies) lathe cut 7” vinyl single. It features previously unheard clips from an interview Pete did with Stanley around 20 years ago.

The single is now available for digital download for 79 pence from thearthurpark.bandcamp.com.