Saxophonist’s sounds come home

INTERNATIONALLY renowned musician, and saxophone and chamber of music professor at the Geneva University of Music, Joshua Hyde, is heading to Ballarat for a night of cabaret.

The event, which will be held at Buninyong Golf Club, is a fundraiser for the Ballarat Memorial Concert Band.

It is a chance for the band to share a range of music with the community.

“It gives us an opportunity to perform music that we would like to perform because often when we do gigs, we’re asked to perform certain types of music,” said Gemma Ramsay, band president.

“We’re going to play a wide variety of music… the event is primarily for entertainment for the community.”

Hyde is originally from Ballarat, attending St Patrick’s College where he began playing the saxophone in year seven.

“After high school I was accepted into the VCA in Melbourne, and did my bachelor’s degree there, afterwards I moved to France with the help of some university scholarships, and continued my studies in Bordeaux, Versailles and later at the Paris Conservatoire,” he said.

Ms Ramsay said she is excited to play with such a high-level musician.

“Given that he is so talented and so skilled, he is known as the leading saxophonist of his generation, it’s exciting to learn from him,” she said.

“I know I personally am going to try and pick his brain a little about playing the saxophone.”

Hyde said he is keen to play with local musicians and contribute to the music scene in Ballarat. “I’m looking forward to playing with the Memorial Concert Band because it is an important part of the musical life of this wonderful city,” he said.

“Ballarat is full of music and wonderful musicians, and it’s so great to be able to come back and play with them.”

The event will be held Saturday 17 August from 7pm. Tickets cost $30 and can be purchased at bit.ly/4bWSYUK.