Arguably one of the most versatile small chamber ensembles, the saxophone quartet has a rich and diverse heritage. Since its invention in 1840, composers have enjoyed writing for the saxophone; and with its connections to the long tradition of vocal writing (the soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones mirror the range and timbres of the human voice) and the possibilities afforded by virtuosic wind instrument players, the repertoire canon for quartet is vast and exciting.
Quadrangle formed in 2008, with the aim of exploring the diversity within the repertoire, and exploiting the chameleon-like versatility of the saxophone.
Richard Ingham – soprano sax
Nicola Pennill – alto sax
Michelle Phillips – tenor sax
Alison Owen-Morley – baritone sax
Contact Quadrangle
Richard Ingham is an internationally renowned saxophonist and music educator. He has performed throughout
Britain, Europe and North America as a saxophone soloist, has completed recent concert and masterclass tours of
China and
India, and is a member of the Scottish Saxophone Ensemble. Richard has released several albums and numerous works have been written for him. He is the Principal Guest Conductor of the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain and the editor of the Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone (CUP, 1999). He is Composer in Residence and Fellow in New Music at the
University of
St Andrews.
Nicola Pennill is a founder member of the Equinox Saxophone Ensemble, and a longstanding member of the award-winning Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra. As a principal player with the National Saxophone Choir, she performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2005. As well as private teaching and regular ensemble and solo performances, Nicola has worked as ensemble coach with the Nottingham Wind Ensemble, the 'Bandwise' programme, and the Nottingham SaxDay.
Michelle Phillips began her music studies at the
University of
Nottingham as a flautist, but quickly switched allegiance to the tenor saxophone. She has since played with the Equinox Saxophone Ensemble, Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, BSQ quartet, National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain and other ensembles in Leeds, Nottingham, and southern
Germany. Michelle is currently studying for a PhD at
Cambridge
University in the department for music and science.
Alison Owen-Morley studied flute and piano at Trinity College of Music on a junior scholarship and later took a degree in Music. Alison is a member of Yorkshire Saxophone Choir, SaxShades quartet and the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain. She is also a CD and concert reviewer for Clarinet and Saxophone magazine. Alison has been a member of Huddersfield Choral Society since 1997, giving regular performances in the
UK and internationally and taking part in many CD recordings and broadcasts. In her day job she is Head of Planning at Leeds College of Music.
