The North West Saxophone Choir at Christ Church

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Phil Shotton directed his North West Saxophone Choir yesterday at a concert part of the Christ Church’s Midweek Music presentations; his ensemble, consisting yesterday of eighteen saxophonists wielding soprano, alto, tenor and baritone versions of their instruments, were the delight of an audience of well above two hundred.

For this unique saxophonic extravaganza, the programme consisted of different arrangements, including some from diverse corners of the planet: a French farandole, an American hoedown (composed à propos), the ever-popular Mexican hat-dance (should it not be called the sombrero dance?), and a three parter named “Celtic Moments”, which I particularly enjoyed.

You may know Phil Shotton from the Phil Shotton Duo, the Phil Shotton Trio, the Phil Shotton Quartet, the Phil Shotton Quintet or the Phil Shotton Sextet, but he’ll perhaps be best remembered in Christ Church for his humorous introductions, and for an incident that left him with ⅘ of his baton just before of the start of the presentation; “I guess the concert will just have to be a little shorter”, he said gallantly in his slick and witty reaction.

 

Written on July 4