Rob Buckland - Saxophonist

Both of the Saxophone Summer Schools that I direct are now open for bookings.

Manchester Single Reed Course http://www.singlereed.org and Harrogate Saxophone Summer School http://www.windstruments.co.uk/Sax/saxindex.cfm.

Bookings are already coming in and it looks like being a bumper year for both courses, so get your applications in soon. Details about each course are available on each of the web links above. 

My new book, PLAYING THE SAXOPHONE, http://www.astute-music.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=30_66&products_id=228is selling well, and getting some lovely reviews. I've copied a few of them here: 

PLAYING THE SAXOPHONE: Selected reviews 2012/13

Every now and then, something really special and unique comes along - and this live broadcast that I was lucky enough to be part of last week by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra on BBC Radio 4 was just that. Gary Carpenter (incredible composer, colleague at the RNCM where he teachs composition, and good friend) was commissioned by the BBC to write a 'symphony' to underscore some wonderful audio clips from BBC Radio 4's Listening Project, and the result was one of the most moving and engaging pieces I have ever had the pleasure to be part of. Gary wrote a beautiful part for me for the Soprano Saxophone within the orchestra - and the final concert is now available to hear on the BBC iplayer. I know there's always a lot competing for our attention at this time of year, but make time for this. Make a cuppa, sit in your favourite chair, and listen to this incredible piece of music. It's sublime, moving, uplifting...there just aren't enough adjectives. Bravo Gary! 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01p7hdz/The_Listening_Project_The_Listening_Project_Symphony/

Looking ahead to the summer, the news is that the Manchester and Harrogate Courses that I direct are full steam ahead for summer 2013 - a new venue for Harrogate tbc shortly. Sadly, the International Saxophone Summer School at Woldingham is no more! After many years of great support from Jonathan Myall Woodwind, for which I am hugely grateful, JM feels that it's time for a change, and for his company to focus on other areas of development, and we all wish them every success - they really have been amazing to work with over the last 13 years! At present I am concertrating my efforts on the Manchester and Harrogate courses, but I have a few plans up my sleeve that will be announced in the new year for new and exciting developments to replace the Woldingham Course. Watch this site for details as they emerge.

Thanks to everyone who came to our sell-out concert at the Forge, Camden,on 17 Nov, as part of the London Jazz Festival. Our set comprised commissions from jazz composers Django Bates, Keith Tippett, Barbara thompson and Kenny Wheeler. Barbara and Kenny were able to be there to hear their pieces - thanks to them both for making time in their busy schedules to come and hear their wonderful music.

I was approached earlier this month by Howard Popeck, the Editor of OUR LISTENERS CLUB, a not-for-profit online web site/blog for "Music loving audiophiles". He asked me to give an in depth interview about my thoughts on music, recording and more, to be serialised on his site.  The interview is live from today (30 Nov 2012) and a new page/question will be added each day from now on. Here's the link to this fascinating site http://842.r.mailjet.com/HREqmzkA/1U2aGk/h0P1iA/ourlistenersclub.com/tag/rob-buckland/ Have a look around - there are some great interviews and blogs on there!