Photos courtesy of Prof. Naomi Sullivan & RNCM
Royal Northern College of Music Annual Saxophone Day
Tuesday 2 December 2025
Royal Northern College of Music Sax Orchestra
Katia Beaugeais – Together We Unite Through Music for saxophone orchestra
Conductor: Newly appointed Sax Prof. Naomi Sullivan.
Venue: RNCM, Manchester, UK.
WATCH World Premiere via Katia’s YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI7tckvl1lI
ABOUT Together We Unite Through Music
Katia Beaugeais’ Together We Unite Through Music for saxophone orchestra was commissioned by the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music for the 2022 Sax Festival of Australia followed by UK Conservatoires: London’s Royal College of Music with Prof. Kyle Horch, Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Prof. John Harle and Birmingham Conservatoire with Naomi Sullivan.
This piece celebrates the re-opening of concert halls and live music across the world as together we unite through music. It takes us on a journey: from the start of lockdown to the celebratory moment as we were able to perform on stage together again.
During the pandemic, we experienced a range of different sounds and emotions as many of us were confined to our homes. In demonstrating the wide range of special effects that the whole saxophone orchestra can produce, contemporary playing techniques are featured. Opening with soft raindrop sounds on the roof (key clicks, sax tapping and slap-tongue effects), saxophonists begin to whistle in a bird-like manner, imitating a chorus of birds from the garden trees.
The soprano sax emerges with the first melody of the piece in a singing bird-like manner. Air wind sound waves lead into an uplifting, dream-like and dance-like rhythmic section. With players entering one by one, gradually building up to the whole ensemble, the unique and illuminating colours of the full saxophone range are showcased.
Together We Unite Through Music builds to a powerful, exhilarating, celebratory and unifying finish as all saxophonists come together and unite through music again.
© 2025 Katia Beaugeais
For more info – Sample Score etc:
https://www.newmusicblock.com/gallery/katia-beaugeais-together-we-unite-through-music-for-saxophone-orchestra/
More details about RNCM’s concert coming soon…
