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Nicola Pennill, DipABRSM, LRSM, CTABRSM
Member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians |
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Biography
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Nicola's first musical experiences were on the oboe through which she discovered the joys of ensemble playing, including a solo performance with the Norfolk County Youth String Orchestra aged 15. Her allegiances switched to the saxophone in 1986 which has since become her focus for playing and teaching.
Balancing a business career with studying the saxophone required a flexible approach. Lessons with Alistair Parnell were supplemented with masterclasses and private clinics with other professional players, including Kyle Horch, Gerard McChrystal, Andy Scott and Richard Ingham. She was awarded the ABRSM Performance Diploma (with distinction) in 2003. Shortly afterwards Nicola relinquished her business interests to teach the saxophone full time, and in 2005 was admitted as Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in saxophone performance. In 2007 she was awarded the ABRSM Certificate of Teaching.
Whilst she enjoys solo performance, Nicola's first love is ensemble playing and she plays regularly with a number of groups. As a principal player with the National Saxophone Choir, she performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2005. She is a founder member of the Equinox Saxophone Ensemble, and is a longstanding member of the award winning Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, with whom she has appeared as a soloist.
Nicola has established a busy private teaching studio which caters for saxophone players of all ages and abilities. She enjoys coaching ensembles, and in addition to groups of her own pupils has worked with the Nottingham Wind Ensemble, the Nottingham Choral Trust "Bandwise" programme and is an ensemble tutor on the Nottingham Sax Day.
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Saxophone Lessons
Based in Nottinghamshire, Nicola teaches saxophone from beginner to advanced level. Lessons are structured around pupils' individual goals and aspirations, including exams where appropriate.
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Ensembles
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Equinox Saxophone Ensemble
The Equinox Saxophone Ensemble was formed in 2005 under the directorship of Alistair Parnell. Equinox performs regularly in the region, with a growing following for their lively presentation of saxophone music. The group have recently recorded their first CD Partial Eclipse which has been well received by audiences and sax players across the country.
".. sheer power, vitality and superb performance...an amazing group of musicians!" |
Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra
Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra is one of the leading groups of its kind. The group has won awards at national level, and regularly tours overseas. It's recent twentieth anniversary concert in November 2007 was one of the top five critics' choice concerts of the year in the Nottingham Evening Post, alongside The Sixteen, the Halle, the Royal Philharmonic and the Nottingham Philharmonic.
"the best party in town..." Nottingham Evening Post
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