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7 WONDERS

CONCEPT

7 Wonders is the NSC's most ambitious project to date - seven movements inspired by the seven 'new' wonders of the world, each written by a different composer and each featuring a different member of the saxophone family. Together they form a single, coherent work which celebrates cultural and saxophonic diversity.

The project was triggered by the announcement from the New7Wonders Foundation in July 2007 of the Official New 7 Wonders of the World. Over 100 million votes had been cast to identify these new wonders, and the concept of celebrating them in music seemed absolutely right from the outset, providing the opportunity to harness the creativity and eclecticism of the contemporary UK sax scene, but with a worldwide focus. After the inspiration came the long haul to realize the dream:

COMPOSERS

Finding seven composers willing to write a 2-5 minute movement was no challenge, and the team is drawn from talent within the Choir, plus the highly respected Andy Scott and, from beyond the saxophone community, Graham Coatman and NSC composer-in-residence Roger May. (More details on all composers below.) A composers' brief was circulated in March last year and by early January 2009, all seven movements were in place.

FUNDING

Predictably, finding funds was harder work, and we are very privileged to have support from the PRS Foundation, the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain, and two music retailers, Cambridge-based Wood Wind & Reed and June Emerson from Yorkshire. However, we are currently relying on the faith and generosity of five of the seven composers to provide their movements without prospect of payment, so there remains ample opportunity for sponsorship and individual donations (see above left).

PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS

The premiere took place on Friday 20th March at the prestigious CBSO Centre in Birmingham.

The premiere was not an end in itself however, and subsequent performances are to be combined with workshops for children, students and members of the public using material generated by the composers from the individual movements. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to perform 7 Wonders with the Choir, and there are special half-price tickets for children at the premiere to launch this educational element of the project.

Surely the most exotic future performance of 7 Wonders is planned for Bangkok, Thailand, at the 15th World Saxophone Congress (subject to funding). This may also see the premiere of an eighth one minute wonder, a compact movement for the mighty contrabass saxophone which is to be the subject of a composition competition launched shortly. (Check homepage news for updates.)

7 Wonders is a hugely exciting and colourful project for us in the Choir and we are looking forward to communicating this energy and passion to audiences. Please do contact us if you would like more information, and read about the wonders and their composers below to get a flavour of this saxophonic journey around the new wonders of the world.

Further details: For images or information on sponsoring the project please email enquiries@saxchoir.com.

THE 7 WONDERS AND THEIR COMPOSERS

The Colosseum, Italy

Built to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire in 70 - 82 A.D., its design is still reflected in almost all modern sports stadia.

Featured saxophone: baritone

Roger May: NSC composer in residence and winner of the NSC’s 2006 Composition Competition, Roger has a growing reputation in the fields of media and concert music.

Roger’s Colosseum is funded by the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain.

Machu Picchu, Peru

High in the Andes and deep in the Amazon jungle, this extraordinary 15th century Incan city was abandoned and not rediscovered until 1911, by Hiram Bingham.

Featured sax: sopranino

Matt London: Currently a postgraduate student at the Royal Northern College of Music, Matt writes and performs modern/crossover music and has had his work played by the Goldberg Ensemble. He plays tenor sax with the NSC.

The Great Wall of China

Reputed to be the largest man-made monument in the world and the only one visible from space, the Great Wall was built to defend China from Mongol hordes.

Featured saxophone: bass

Catherine Evison: Since her first sax quartet was premiered at the 2006 World Saxophone Congress, Catherine has written for a number of ensembles including the NSC, where she plays lead alto. She is active in music education and publishing.

Chichén Itzá, Mexico

Centre of the Mayan civilization, this city is a testament to the Mayans’ architectural skills and spatial understanding. The pyramid is the last Mayan temple.

Featured saxophone: tenor

Graham Coatman: Recent commissions include works for the Northern Ballet School, Exaudi and a sound installation with Carolyn Mendelsohn. Graham is also an accompanist, lectures at Leeds College of Music and is Artistic Director of the Hexham Festival.

Petra, Jordan

Petra was the glittering capital of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Perched on the edge of the Arabian Desert, its remains still reflect the technical sophistication and rich cultural life of the Nabataean empire.

Featured saxophone: soprillo

Nigel Wood: Nigel’s works are familiar to saxophonists throughout the UK and abroad. He is founder, Musical Director and soprillo soloist of the NSC and publishes his and many other saxophonists’ works through Saxtet Publications.

Taj Mahal, India

This immense and beautiful mausoleum was built in 1630 by Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, in memory of his beloved wife

Featured saxophone: soprano

Richard Ingham: Composer, international saxophone soloist and renowned jazz educator, Richard is also editor of the Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone. He is the NSC’s Principal Guest Conductor, a role part-funded by the University of St Andrews.

Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

Inaugurated in 1931, the 38-metre figure of Christ the Redeemer overlooks Rio de Janeiro from the top of Corcovado mountain. Its open, welcoming arms represent the warmth of the Brazilian people.

Featured saxophone: alto

Andy Scott: Freelance saxophonist, composer, and tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music, Andy is also a member of the Apollo Saxophone Quartet and founder of the ensemble Sax Assault. He has guest-conducted the NSC.

Andy's Christ the Redeemer is funded by the PRS Foundation.

7 Wonders images used with permission of the New7Wonders Foundation. Andy Scott picture by Daniel Parker.

7 WONDERS SPONSORS

6 September 2009

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