SAXOLOGY
Saxology, a community driven project working with musicians of all ages and abilities, to promote the Saxophone in various settings and genres, was the brainchild of Alicia Hillman during her fourth year of her undergraduate degree. Working closely with students from Birmingham and Staffordshire Music Services, along with musicians from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Band of the West Midlands Fire Service, Saxology showcased local talent and demonstrated the capabilities of the Saxophone in a variety of chamber settings. Collaborating and learning from others in chamber ensembles is Alicia’s passion, especially making multiple voices sound as one.
Numerous chamber groups were involved including: RBC Saxophone duo, Eastside Saxophone quartet, RBC Saxophone Octet, Junior Saxophone ensemble (directed by Alicia Hillman), solo accompanied by the Band of the West Midlands Fire Service and a Massed Saxophone Ensemble culminating all of the Saxophonists involved in the project. Arranging various popular/classical/jazz/folk works for the medium of Saxophone ensembles enabled Alicia to channel her creativity and showcase the Saxophone's capabilities in contrasting genres. Each ensemble's abilities and strengths were carefully considered when designing each arrangement, educating and challenging all involved. See below for videos, edited and produced by Alicia of the work undertaken by Saxology ensembles, demonstrating her arrangements.
Unfortunately the collaborative concert scheduled to take place in March 2020 was postponed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Plans are currently underway to reschedule the concert to Winter 2020. Follow Saxology_ on Facebook and Instagram for more updates (see links below).
Saxology
Saxology
BWMFS-Pequena Czarda Final
Ciudades:Sarajevo by Guillermo Lago
Sir Patrick by Philippe Geiss
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Handel
TESTIMONIALS
“The idea of the Saxology project brought much excitement to our young musicians who were involved. A chance to perform in a world class venue alongside young musicians from the RBC saxophone department. Alicia had put in a lot of time into making this idea a reality. Alicia worked hard to arrange the music and rehearsals for pupils across two music services, and had planned a exciting and contrasting programme showcasing the range and colours of the saxophone. I know our students from SFE were very much looking forward to being a part of something special."
Kate O'Malley/ Head of Woodwind, Services for Education
"As a sincere, generous and committed musician, the heart of Saxology mirrors Alicia's own, very genuine ethics. The project aimed to share music across communities, connecting individuals of all generations with the view to create a celebratory concert, helping all those involved achieve their very best in a positive and open environment. Although the project couldn't go ahead, the essence of positivity and generosity created by Alicia really does live on and I am sure all who took part in the rehearsals and recordings will recognise this too."
Naomi Sullivan / Head of Saxophone, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
“Alicia deserves every credit for her musicianship, interpersonal approach, organisational skills, vision and persistence in bringing Saxology together. I cannot give her high enough praise for the impressive way in which she approached and delivered the many facets of this project and the creativity that she showed in devising its concept."
Trevor Jones/ Musical Director B.Ed, F.T.CL., A.R.C.M.