Attendees at a free concert put on by the Manx Saxophone Ensemble (MSE) at All Saints’ Church in Douglas on Sunday 21st April were treated to a surprise extra performance.
Alistair Parnell, an international-level performer, band leader and educator, gave an impromptu virtuoso performance of Van Morrison’s classic jazz number 'Moondance' to the amazement and delight of the audience.
The concert was arranged as a finale event to round off a weekend of workshops, tutorials and rehearsal sessions led by Alistair, a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, for members of the MSE and guest saxophonists from the Island.
The MSE’s music director, Jem Cotton, said that the event was an unqualified success. ‘From the moment Alistair arrived on Friday night (19th), our workshop sessions were fun, productive and educational. We worked hard with Alistair on Friday evening, Saturday and finally Sunday morning to put together an hour of music based on a combination of our existing repertoire and new material. The concert on Sunday afternoon had an immense feel-good factor and it was clear that each and every one of us had benefitted greatly from the weekend's activities in terms of playing ability and confidence.’
After returning to the UK, Alistair Tweeted that he had enjoyed a rewarding weekend with the MSE ‘working together to produce such an improvement in playing and confidence’.
The event, supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council, provided both group and personal tuition and advice to saxophonists of varied abilities, for the cost of just a single music lesson, ?25. Students were able to join in for an even lower cost of ?15.
Jem hopes to repeat the weekend format as a regular annual event, and welcomes expressions of interest from saxophonists across the Island.
Jem can be contacted on 842874 or via saxmaster@wm.im.
For further information on the MSE’s activities, visit www.saxband.co.uk.
Photo - Alistair Parnell and MSE members.
