Our joint concert with Rugby Recorder Ensemble at St Andrew’s Church, Rugby on 19 July has raised more than £300 for Rugby’s Myton Hospice.

This unique concert saw 27 musicians performing music from the 16^th Century to the modern day on 14 different instruments – eight types of recorder, ranging from sopranino to sub great bass, and six types of saxophone, ranging from sopranino to bass.

The concert featured separate ensemble pieces from Rugby Recorders and Phoenix, plus a joint piece – Viadana’s Sinfonia ‘La Bergamasca’ (1610) – and the world premiere performance of Steve Marshall’s ‘Concertino’, a concerto for recorders and solo soprano saxophone, played by Samuel Beddard. The recorder group also performed Dunholm Suite by nationally respected Rugby composer, Rosemary Robinson and William Byrd’s Six Part Fantasia.

Rugby Recorders’ Musical Director Caroline Jones said: “We were delighted to have Steve Marshall in the audience to hear Concertino being played so beautifully by the recorder ensemble and Samuel on soprano sax. Although recorders and saxophones are centuries apart – with recorders dating back to pre-1100 and the saxophone being patented in 1846 – the instruments worked really well together, both for the Concertino and also the final number La Bergamasca, an antiphonal piece which saw the recorders and saxophones playing in separate choirs at either end of the church.”

Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra’s Jane Smith said: “This was an entirely new collaboration for Phoenix, but one which came together beautifully. The very different sounds and styles of the recorders and saxophones resulted in a varied programme of music for the audience to enjoy. From Byrd to The Beatles and Viadana to Van Morrison, there really was something for everyone, and the two joint pieces ably demonstrated what a versatile instrument the saxophone can be. We’d like to say a big thank you to Rugby Girl Guides for organising the interval cakes and refreshments and to everyone who came along to the concert. It is certainly one to remember.”

The refreshment sales raised £135 towards the 1st Overslade Guides and Rangers’ international trip to Ypres in July 2027, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Menin Gate.