Nottingham Evening Post: Saxophonist Nicola hits all the right notes (March 05, 2010)
Sax Appeal Nicola Pennill
"NICOLA Pennill had a high-flying career as a management consultant until she followed her heart to become a professional musician.
She dipped her toe in the water by going part-time at first.
But the speed at which she built up a programme of teaching the instrument and performing convinced her to hand in her resignation and concentrate on music.
Nicola's latest project is the release of her debut CD, Dream with Me, on April 10.
The 12 tracks also feature West Bridgford pianist Alistair Parnell.
Nicola, from Kinoulton, said: "The idea of the CD is to show how versatile the saxophone is. People tend to associate it with jazz or pop but this is contemporary classical, folk and opera. Some of it sounds like film scores, it's a real mixture."
It's 25 years since Nicola took up the saxophone as a second instrument, but the former oboist decided to make it her main focus.
"I play soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones," she adds. "I love the sound and I particularly enjoy the versatility of the sound."
As well as recording, Nicola has a number of live concerts coming up, starting with Sanctuary for Saxophones on March 13 in St Giles' Church, West Bridgford, at 7.30pm.
The concert features Christian Forshaw's Brit-nominated Sanctuary material, reworked for saxophone ensemble Equinox, and soprano Natalie Clifton-Griffith.
On April 17 the Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, which is chaired by Nicola, is performing songs from musical theatre and drama at Take the Stage! at Djanogly Recital Hall at the University of Nottingham, at 7.30pm.
There will be a chance to hear songs from the CD performed live by Nicola and Alistair at Saxophone Soiree in the stylish surroundings of the Carriage Hall, at Plumtree, on April 18 at 7pm.
Nicola co-founded Nottingham Saxophone Day which this year has grown into a weekend event from March 19-21.
More than 50 musicians from all over the country will gather in Swanwick to play together and develop their skills.
She is also part of the organising committee bringing top class saxophonists to Britain in 2012 for the World Saxophone Congress."
Lynette Pinchess, Nottingham Evening Post, 5 March 2010
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