Sax and the City

I can’t remember the last time I raised my hand to play in a gig, or as what Sandy (director of Sax-And-The-City) would call it – adventure. I think it was when the Blacktown Community Band came around in Christmas 2007 to carol at our home. My “Mary Kate” (that’s my alto sax) was sitting on the stand, so I grabbed it and played with them.

At the balcony of Chifley Building – Opening night of the Sydney Festival 2010

When Jill emailed me last December that she just signed up for this year’s Sax-And-The City at the Sydney Festival, I was encouraged to do the same. Jill and I had the same relationship with our sax playing. We have enough skill to enjoy playing in an ensemble or band – but perhaps a bit anxious to blow on solo.

As I walk through the streets of Sydney on my way to the rehearsal, I had butterflies on my tummy. I have not read any music sheet in all of 2009, can I even manage a lick. As I enter the hall, hundreds of players are getting ready each one had already memorised the music as it was published in the web. I wasn’t expecting it, I thought it was a sit-down concert and music will be distributed this day. Double worry – then Jill tapped me on the shoulder, and god-bless her, she had the music printed and ready.

After a few rounds I’m feeling more confident and started to enjoy the ‘adventure’. That rush of joy when you contribute a note or passage is sheer pleasure. I just wish I could do more and blow like those wonderful players around me – but for now I shall content myself and vow to play more in this year.

How the night went:

Call out was at 5:30pm at the City Recital Hall. We were told to leave our cases there, and register to get our wrist bands. Then we marched into the back of the Mint. We have a NO KNOODLING POLICY. Knoodling? (spell) – it’s a new word to me too – but it basically means – no one is to blow their horn for practice. Everyone were pretty disciplined about it – though it is really tempting to blow a lick or two.

At 7:30pm we had our first set. Our group, stayed at the lower balcony of the Mint. We did well, except for the Street Party, where we muddled up the ending, but it was cool. Jeanne got separated from me as we passed through restricted areas – and she had to detour. She missed our first set.

In our second set, we were at the top balcony of the Mint. Just like in the first, we played our 4 pieces and that’s the end of it. On the 3rd, however, a Scottish Bag Pipe Band passed through Macquarie Street as we were finishing up. We tried to drone (play long and loud note) them. They played a tune, we answered with a dragged down version of our Blues. They played another tune and we answered them with stabbing notes (well it’s a battle of the band afterall). As they play another one, the advance player of our group played Bona Lee – a fast and playful sax piece – just to show them who is the better band. Then the bagpipe band played their signature song – “Scott and the Brave”. The crowd looked at us expecting an answer, instead we played Scott and the Brave in unison with the bagpipes. The crowd roared and cheered as the band marched out off the street.

Following is a YouTube clip of the battle with the pipe band shared by a member of the Sax-and-the-City

Before our fourth set, Brazilian Festivale dancers were on the balconies of the Mint. These drew in a large crowd into Macquarie Street. We basically have a repeat of the battle with the bagpipes. But I think it was less effective this time because the bagpipes are muffled by the huge crowd.

We then marched to the Chifley Square where some were ushered to the top of the ANZ Building and others to the balcony of the Chifley Building. We did not really play up there – we are so high noone would have heared us if we tried. This was done solely for the cameras. As the camera panned, the images are being projected on the ANZ building (see photo on the left).

From here we marched to Hyde Park, where the circus act and aerial display is being held. We provided the finalle backing for the show. We didn’t do much but it gave us a chance to witness the other acts of the Sydney Festival.

On our way back to the Recital Hall to collect our cases, the NO KNOODLING policy is off – and we just had impromptu solos and improvisations as we traverse back to the hall – it was mad, really awesome ‘adventure’. And that’s how the night went.

Categorised in: Feature Story, Journal Entry