• Date and time: Thursday 12 June 2025, 12.30pm to 1.30pm
  • Location: In-person only
    St Helen's Church, St Helen's Square (Map)
  • Admission: Free admission, booking not required

Event details

Sax Forte returns to the Festival with an entertaining programme that includes a brief history of the saxophone and a demonstration of the four different pitched instruments.

The saxophone is most commonly associated with jazz, blues and pop, but York-based Sax Forte demonstrates just how well the instrument sits with a far wider range of music, including classical and baroque. 

Join the quartet at St Helen’s Church as they demonstrate the range, versatility, sensitivity and beauty of the instrument.

About the performers

Sax Forte comprises Chris Hayes (Soprano Sax), Keith Schooling (Alto Sax), Jane Parkin (Baritone Sax) and David Badcock (Tenor Sax). Formed in York in 2016, all four members have extensive experience with other quartets, bands and orchestras.  Between them they own 14 saxophones (at the last count) including four sopranos, four altos, four tenors and two baritones. 

Initially their focus was on 20th century jazz and swing numbers that are familiar to many saxophone quartets, but as they shared their different musical influences, a wider variety of music was introduced, and it became very apparent that a lot of choral and baroque music is extremely well suited to this combination of instruments.  Chris and David are both experienced arrangers as well as being expert players. While the quartet still present programmes of jazz arrangements when requested, the majority of their repertoire is classical in style, with pieces frequently ranging over 400 years.

Partners

St Helen's Church

Venue details

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Hearing loop