XVI World Saxophone Congress, July 10-15 2012 St Andrew's, Scotland

Following the decision at the XV World Saxophone Congress in Bangkok, July 2009, that the XVI Congress will be held in St Andrews in 2012, the organising committee has already begun preparations for this prestigious event. It’s a great honour for Scotland, and the UK as a whole, to host the Congress, which will attract up to 800 saxophonists from all over the world. The University of St Andrews is delighted to be associated with the event, which will coincide with its 600th anniversary celebrations.
Recitals will be presented throughout the day, in several venues, with gala concerts in the Younger Hall in the evening. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra will give at least one concert of saxophone concertos, featuring international soloists. The UK’s finest soloists will be appearing, including Rob Buckland, John Harle, Gerard McChrystal, Andy Scott, Tommy Smith and Nigel Wood. It will be a wonderful opportunity to experience the saxophone performance traditions of France, the USA, Japan and many other nations. Lectures on related subjects will also feature in the programme, as well as exhibitions and trade stands from representatives of the instrument manufacturing and sheet music industries.
A Fringe Festival will give performance opportunities for amateur players and saxophonists from educational institutions. This will be developed between now and July 2012, in conjunction with music colleges, music schools and education authorities, with the intention of making a major contribution to the role of the saxophone in music education in Britain. Massed saxophone performances (with hundreds of international players) will take place in the Castle grounds, the Quad and the West Sands.
There will be special interest strands running throughout the Congress, including concerts and workshops featuring music for the tenor saxophone (devised by Andy Scott), concerts of electronic and electroacoustic music (devised by Alistair Parnell) and concerts featuring the soprillo saxophone (devised by Nigel Wood). The music of John Cage will be featured, celebrating his centenary in 2012, in a concert featuring John Sampen, and the 150th anniversary of Debussy will also be marked by performances. There will be a piping recital, exploring the connections between the pipes and the saxophone, which have influenced many contemporary works. The Congress will also feature music by established UK composers such as Sally Beamish, and composers at the beginning of their careers, such as Charlotte Harding.
Visit: www.wscxvi.com
Richard Ingham (Director), Susan McKenzie (Assistant Director), Mike Brogan (Assistant Director)

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