Biographies

Sarah Markham                 
                          
 
Alistair Parnell
 
Director
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.  He plays with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, the Northern Saxophone Quartet 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) and subsequently 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 teaches the saxophone privately and in 2007 she was awarded the ABRSM Certificate of Teaching.  
 

Gayle Lond
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 teaches privately, and enjoys working on her own compositions.
 
 
 
 
 
Sarah Markham
 
Sarah Markham studied at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) gaining a Degree and Professional Performer’s Diploma (with Distinction), and at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA where she gained a Master in Music Degree with scholarships from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust and the Sir James Caird Trust. She has enjoyed competition success with the Royal Over- Seas League Music Competition and the Park Lane Group.
 
Sarah has performed all over Britain and Europe.  She has also broadcast live on Radio 3 and Classic FM radio.  Sarah also plays baritone saxophone in the Northern Saxophone Quartet, and is a member of the Tribune Saxophone Octet. Sarah is the saxophone teacher at the Junior department of the Royal College of Music, and the Universities of Huddersfield and Sheffield. In 2006, Sarah released her first solo album featuring standard works from the classical saxophone repertoire.  
 

Lindsey Smith

Lindsey Smith
BA (Hons) MSc PgDip
Tenor saxophone
 
Lindsey grew up in Stafford, where she played with the Staffordshire Youth Wind Orchestra. She arrived in Nottingham to study at the University, was one of the original members of the Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra and fell in love with the vibrant Nottingham saxophone scene. More recently she spent six years with the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain, appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe and in concerts throughout the UK.

Now based in Buckinghamshire, Lindsey combines her musical commitments with a career as an editor.  

 

Michelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips
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.  
 
Michelle is currently studying for a PhD at Cambridge in the department for music and science.
 
 

Matt Lond
Matt Lond
GCLCM PGCE
Baritone saxophone, Tubax
 
Matt 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 Service. As part of his work he has established various jazz and classical ensembles in the schools he works in that are very successful. He is also the saxophone tutor for the Lincolnshire Youth Symphonic Wind Band and The Lincolnshire Jazz & Rock Academy. In 2010 he became the Contemporary Music Coordinator for Lincolnshire Music Service. 
 
 
 

 
 
Kirsty Everett
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.

 

 

Where to see us
Oct 16 2010 @ 19:30
Concert, St Mary's Church, Leeds
Oct 30 2010 @ 19:30
Equinox in Concert, Carrington, Nottingham
Nov 27 2010 @ 19:30
Christmas Concert, Bramcote
Mar 19 2011 @ 19:30
Equinox in Concert, Kinoulton Church
May 21 2011 @ 19:30
Equinox in Concert, Fakenham, Norfolk
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