The London Saxophone Choir, formed in February 2008, is a group of around 30 enthusiastic amateur Saxophone players based in the Pimlico/Victoria area of London. The most common saxophones - Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone - form the backbone of our group. We use the tiny Sopranino and the majestic Bass to add additional layers to our sound. We play a variety of music, from ancient to modern, and in a variety of styles, from the classical to music invoking the rhythms of South America.

The London Saxophone Choir does not require new members to audition and we do not currently limit the size of any of our sections. This makes the choir unique as most other saxophone ensembles have strict limits and entrance criteria. We rehearse twice a month, during which we usually play through a few pieces and extensively rehearse one or two other pieces in preparation for performances.

Most people don’t know what kind of sound to expect from a massed saxophone ensemble. The saxophone is a very versatile instrument and so we are keen to feature works that challenge peoples’ ideas of a traditional saxophone sound – proving that saxophones are not just for jazz performances, but can also be used for great performances of classical works - and that challenge our members to utilise their instruments to their full extent. One such piece is Samual Barber’s “Adagio”. This piece was originally written for strings, but has been re-arranged especially for our group. We have performed this beautiful and emotional work on two occasions in the last year. It is ideal for showcasing the range and depth of emotion and sound that a Saxophone is capable of.

When we are out playing, members of the audience occasionally question the use of the word “Choir” in our name – after all, we don’t sing. The word is used more generally to describe the “Brass Choir” or “Woodwind Choir” of an orchestra, stressing the vocal qualities of these wind instruments and for many years there have been Clarinet Choirs consisting of many different sizes of these instruments. The term choir is possibly even more appropriate for a group of Saxophones, arguably the most vocal of all wind instruments.

We aim to hold one formal concert per calendar year - usually in November - and also perform in parks and smaller venues throughout the year. This year we were very pleased to be invited to perform at the South Bank Centre as part of the Bernstein Project and also as part of the Trinity Proms hosted by Trinity School in Croydon. We have also performed at venues such as Victoria Embankment Gardens, Myatt’s Fields Bandstand and Ruskin Park (both in Lambeth), and for private functions at Rugby clubs and Bowling clubs.

If you are interested in joining us, please Contact Us.

We welcome enquiries from players of all saxophones and all abilities, but we particularly welcome enquiries from tenor and baritone players, and players of the more exotic types of saxophone.

Our Conductor - Roger Cawkwell

Roger studied composition, saxophone, clarinet, flute & piano at the Royal Academy of Music finishing in the early 70s. Since then he has been active in jazz and popular music as well as in classical styles, playing with groups as diverse as the John Dankworth Band, the London Sinfonietta and the British soul band The Foundations. At the turn of the Millennium he began to re-invent himself as a brass player and currently plays French horn in several wind groups.

He has always been active as a writer, being musical asistant to Dankworth and Mike Gibbs. He has contributed scores to numerous groups including the Ambache Chamber Orchestra, Lambeth Wind Orchestra and the Symphonic Wind Orchestra of North London. As a teacher Roger has coached many students at Morley and currently, Goldsmiths College.

Steve Whiteley - Chair

Steve played clarinet at school, giving up at about 15 in favour of guitar, which he still enjoys playing. He took up saxophone about 10 years ago and plays all the various sizes. He has mostly played alto and soprano with the LSC. He took an ATCL Recital diploma on saxophones, regularly plays baritone sax with Milestone Big Band and enjoys ‘depping’ for wind bands from time to time. After about 25 years in banking and marketing, he switched to teaching and is now Head of Economics & Business Studies at a school in Surrey.

Sharon Moloney - Secretary

Sharon has played flute since the age of 9, and is also a keen singer, as well as a saxophonist and percussionist.
She also plays with the Lewisham Concert Band, Harmony Sinfonia, the Capricorn Wind Quintet and Ferndene Saxophones, and is founder and director of Opal Flutes.

Sharon works as an administrator at the Royal Academy of Music.

Anne Edwards - Marketing Officer

Anne has played the clarinet since starting secondary school and has been a member of the Linden Wind Orchestra for many years. More recently she treated herself, first to a soprano and then an alto sax. She regularly plays in a clarinet quartet and a saxophone quartet and enjoys participating in playdays. Anne is a toxicologist, working for a desk-based consultancy in Wallington.