The premiere performance of 'Borealis (into blue)' by the Borealis saxophone quartet and RNCM string ensemble (during the RNCM Spotlight Concert on 10.12.2012)

The Aurora Borealis is a natural 'light display' in the sky - caused by charged particles being drawn into the earth's upper atmosphere. The collision causes energy to be released, which causes the lights we see in the sky.

Commissioned by the Borealis Saxophone Quartet, the piece reflects this natural phenomena with constantly shifting colours,  high-energy collisions and, eventually, the piece fades into a silent and still inky-blue night sky...

Borealis (into blue)

I began playing the Tuba aged 13 at Beanfield Comprehensive School in Corby, Northamptonshire.  Like millions before, I practised, I got better and I joined other ensembles..... I've been lucky enough to play at all the major brass band contests but at 17 I discovered that I had an ability to write music.  This new found form of self expression was instantly appealing and I happily fell head first into writing; if for no other reason, it meant I could ditch Tuba scales and flexibility studies and go out and look at the world!!

After only two years of writing I was lucky to get into the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.  My composition tutor, Andrew Wilson-Dickson, was a massive influence on me as both a composer and a person.  I have to admit that I'm no academic and found the conforming aspects of institutional life rather hard!!  But having four years to write music is an experience I wouldn't swap for anything else in the world.

Music in general is not an easy profession to make a living but you can never grumble, getting by in life by conjuring sounds which have only ever occurred in your head is a great feeling..........

Professor euphonium at the Lemmens Institute - LUCA School of Arts - Leuven, Belgium.
Conductor and brass teacher in Norway.

The Borealis Saxophone Quartet are an award winning ensemble based in Manchester and are all currently studying at or graduates of the Royal Northern College of Music.
Their debut recital took place at the Bridgewater Hall in December 2011 and they have since performed regularly around the UK. In Summer 2012 they gave a performance of Per Norgard's 'Dancers Around Jupiter' at the BBC proms festival, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. 2012 also saw them reach the finals of the prestigious RNCM Concerto Competition, which led to a performance of Graham Fitkin's 'Plan B' for saxophone quartet and string orchestra, as well as the premiere of their first commission; 'Borealis (into blue)' by Lucy Pankhurst. 
In 2013 they won the  inaugural Apollo Saxophone Quartet/RNCM Saxophone Ensemble prize which was sponsored by Vandoren and Selmer Saxophones, and the Trevor Wye Memorial Prize for Woodwind Chamber Music at the RNCM.  Following this success, they competed with other prize winning RNCM Ensembles in the Christopher Rowland Chamber Music Prize and were named 'RNCM Ensemble of the Year 2013'.
Future performances include recitals at King's Place and St John's Smith Square.
For more information see www.borealissaxophonequartet.com