RICHMOND SCHOOL STUDENTS WOWED BY SAXOPHONE / HARP MUSICAL COMBINATION 

Richmondshire Concerts have been running an annual season of Chamber Music concerts for over 75 years – this is season 77!  

This season’s first concert in the six-concert series was a performance by Huw Wiggin and Oliver Wass, combining to make the somewhat atypical duo of saxophone and harp. 

The duo performed at Richmond School the day before their scheduled concert as, with the generous support of Richmondshire Concerts and the Town Council, it was arranged for Huw and Oliver to travel up to Richmondshire a day early.  

Mr Boyd, lead Teacher of music at Richmond School and Sixth Form College, takes up the story: 

 “Our students were treated to a wonderful and intriguing concert by two London based professional musicians, Huw Wiggin and Oliver Wass, combining to make the unusual and interesting duo of saxophone and harp. 

The pair immediately impressed staff and students with their enthusiasm and technical skill. A particular highlight was Huw demonstrating circular breathing in the famous piece ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’ by Rimsky-Korsakov. From first to last note, he didn’t stop for a breath, instead recycling air through his nose, whilst playing many, many notes on the sax. 

Not to be outdone, Oliver too demonstrated terrific dexterity with his beautiful rendition of Manuel de Falla’s ‘Spanish Dance No.1’ from La Vida Breve. 

Saxophone student Mathilda said: “It was a fantastic concert and so unusual to hear this combination of instruments, but it worked really well.” 

For a brief excerpt of the Wiggin and Wass performance at Richmond School, click on this link: 

https://youtu.be/FejxbzoRTwY 

Thank you to Mr Boyd for arranging the performance and for the support of Richmond Town Council and Richmondshire Concerts. 

The Richmondshire Concerts Season continues on October 5th with the Wihan String Quartet. For more information about this and subsequent concerts click on the link below: 

www.rsconcerts.org