What's On

Saxophonists – this is for you!

The UK’s largest annual sax gathering returns for another sensational day celebrating all things saxophone. Join us as we throw open our doors and welcome players of all ages and abilities in a day jam-packed with participatory workshops and concerts.

We’re also thrilled to announce an incredible line-up of guest artists who are making their RNCM debut at this year’s event. Valentine Michaud shares her talent with pianist Ben Powell during our afternoon concert before an unrivalled double-bill rounds off the day featuring Derek Brown with the RNCM Saxophone Orchestra and the Matt Carmichael Quartet.

Plus don’t forget you can visit our expansive trade exhibition throughout the day and even take to the stage yourself as part of the our legendary Massed Saxophone Orchestra.

We’ll see you there…

Rob Buckland, Andy Scott artistic directors

Schedule:
10am – 11.30am/ Massed Saxophone Orchestra*
12pm – 1.15pm/ An Audience with Derek Brown + Workshop Options*
2.15pm – 3.15pm/ Valentine Michaud (saxophone) and Ben Powell (piano)
3.45pm – 5pm/ Workshop Sessions* (choose from sessions led by Carl Raven, Andy Scott, Mike Hall, Rob Buckland and Valentine Michaud)
5.15pm – 5.45pm/ Selmer Paris Presentation*
6.30pm – 9.15pm/ Derek Brown with the RNCM Saxophone Orchestra + Matt Carmichael Quartet

The RNCM is extremely grateful to Vandoren Paris and Henri Selmer Paris for their generous support of RNCM Saxophone Day.

We’re pleased to confirm that our trade exhibition will include stalls from Barnes & Mullins, C D Wiggins Sheet Music, Curly Woodwind Ltd, D’Addario, Groovy Rascal Music, Howarth of London, Jenni Watson-Composer, John Packer Ltd, June Emerson Sheet Music, Prozone Music, Royal Air Force Music Services, SAX, Sax stuff to go, Saxtet Publications, Selmer, Vintage Saxophones Online Ltd, West Yorkshire Woodwind, Windstruments and Yamaha Music.

Day Tickets (covers admission to all RNCM Saxophone Day events):

£18 (Under 26s and Students) + £1 Booking Fee
£36 (Full) + £1 Booking Fee

*Admission with Day Ticket only

Valentine Michaud

Valentine Michaud is a saxophonist of extraordinary depth and versatility, with a technique that perfectly blends musical finesse and compelling artistry. A recipient of numerous awards, including the Credit Suisse Jeunes Solistes (2017), and Jurjans Andrejs VI Woodwind International Competition, in 2020 Valentine was the first wind player to be awarded the prestigious Credit Suisse Young Artist Award.

The first ever saxophone soloist to perform with the Wiener Philharmoniker, the 2022-23 season will see Valentine debut with the orchestra under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen at the Lucerne Festival, where she will perform the world premiere of the saxophone and orchestra version of Anders Hillborg’s Peacock Tales. This season will also see Valentine debut at the Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Philharmonie Zuidnederlands with conductor Duncan Ward (recording of the Peacock Tales for Outhere Music), the Folle Journée de Nantes as well as with the Orchestra Wellington performing John Psathas’ saxophone concerto Zahara.

Derek Brown
From his 30+ million views across social media to his appearance on international television and NPR’s Weekend Edition, Billboard-charting saxophonist/innovator Derek Brown and his one-of-a-kind solo “BEATBoX SAX” project has been exploding across the world music scene.

As described by jazz journalist/historian Scott Yanow, “Brown performs unaccompanied solos that occasionally make one recall Bobby McFerrin in his early prime and the great saxophonist Eddie Harris . . . utilizing slap-tonguing, circular breathing, a wide interest in musical styles and dazzling coordination to create rather unique music.”

Matt Carmichael Quartet

Heralded by BBC Music Magazine as ‘a distinctive new voice in a crowded scene’,  saxophonist and composer Matt Carmichael continues to move from strength to strength and grow his reach globally with his powerfully emotive blend of Jazz and Folk music. He has performed throughout Europe at Celtic Connections, Ronnie Scott’s, Love Supreme, Bimhuis as well as being a guest soloist with the Grammy Award winning WDR Big Band in Germany were his music was arranged by Bob Mintzer.

Matt’s debut album ‘Where Will The River Flow’ was critically acclaimed, amassing over 5 Million streams and he was subsequently signed to the renowned Jazz label Edition Records who released his second album ‘Marram’ in October 2022. Some of the musicians Matt has collaborated with include Fergus McCreadie, Rob Luft, Bob Mintzer, WDR Big Band, corto.alto, Charlie Stewart, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Kathleen MacInness, Liv Andrea Hauge, Innes White, Juliette Lemoine, Kim Carnie and Rachel Sermanni.