Alistair Parnell (Director) GRSM(Hons) DipRCM(sax) DipRCM(pno)   Soprano, sopranino, piano, EWI   Alistair studied saxophone and piano at the Royal College of Music. During his time there he won several performance prizes.  He also formed and led the Mistral Saxophone Quartet.    Alistair now plays with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, the Northern Saxophone Quartet, Tribune Saxophone Octet, and is guest conductor of the Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra. He also runs a very successful teaching business in Nottingham and is Visiting Scholar of Saxophone for Nottingham University.

Nicola Pennill DipABRSM LRSM CTABRSM   Soprano, alto saxophone   Nicola was awarded the ABRSM Performance Diploma (with distinction) in 2003, when she began teaching the saxophone full time. In 2005 she was admitted as Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music. She particularly enjoys ensemble playing, performs regularly with the Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, and was a principal player with the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain. She has recently been awarded the ABRSM Certificate of Teaching.

Gayle Lond BMus (Hons) MA PGCE (Post Comp Ed) LRSM (Performance) LRSM (Teaching) FRSM   Alto, soprano saxophone   Gayle studied clarinet at the Royal Northern College of Music. On completion of her degree she joined the RAF, where she is Solo Clarinettist with the College Band, based at Cranwell. She travels extensively around Europe, both in the band and as part of smaller ensembles. Gayle gained her FRSM in clarinet performance this year. In 2004 she decided to concentrate her studies on the saxophone resulting in a distinction being awarded for the LRSM in saxophone performance in 2005. Gayle teaches clarinet and saxophone privately and for Lincolnshire Music Support Service.

 

Keri Degg DipABRSM (teaching) DipABRSM (performance)   Alto, soprano saxophones   Multi-instrumentalist Keri plays clarinet, flute and piano as well as the saxophone.   Keri has completed her diplomas in saxophone performance and also in teaching (clarinet) in which she achieved a distinction.   She is passionate about teaching and learning, always keen to develop new skills and pass them on to others.  She currently works for the Derbyshire Music Partnership as a woodwind teacher, and also teaches privately.

Daniel Christian DipABRSM   Tenor, alto saxophones   Based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Daniel has been exploring the expressive possibilities of the saxophone since the age of nine and took his ABRSM Performance Diploma at only 17. He has played with a range of ensembles, recently joining Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra on their tour of Italy. He primarily teaches saxophone, clarient and piano, and is a peripatetic teacher with the Derbyshire Music Service.

Becky Deans BA (Hons) MA DipABRSM   Tenor saxophone   With considerable experience of saxophone ensembles and wind bands, Becky teaches the saxophone and has the DipABRSM in Saxophone Performance.  Becky is a peripatetic teacher with the Derbyshire Music Service, as well as a freelance copywriter.

Michelle Phillips BA (Hons) MA   Baritone saxophone   Michelle began her music studies at the University of Nottingham as a flautist, but quickly switched allegiance to the tenor saxophone. She has since played with the Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, BSQ quartet, National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain and other ensembles in Leeds, Nottingham, and southern Germany.

Matt Lond GCLCM PGCE   Baritone saxophone, Tubax   Matthew studied music focusing on jazz and performance on the saxophone at Leeds College of Music and completed his teacher training at Leeds University. Since 2002 he has worked as a woodwind peripatetic music teacher for Lincolnshire Music Support Service while establishing various jazz and classical ensembles. He also teaches saxophone privately in and around Grantham.

Kirsty Everett BA (Hons) Jazz Studies   Bass and baritone saxophones   Kirsty studied jazz saxophone at Leeds College of Music, and is currently working towards an MA in Music Performance at LCM.   Although she plays all members of the saxophone family together with clarinet and bass clarinet (and despite being vertically challenged!), she particularly enjoys the bass and baritone saxophones and has chosen to specialise on these instruments.   Kirsty plays in a number of diverse bands, from the National Saxophone Ensemble to function bands.