The Quad Cities Saxophone Christmas just passed on November 29th, bringing a unique opportunity for saxophone players of all ages and levels.
The Quad Cities Saxophone Christmas, often referred to as QCSaxmas, is an event organized by the St. Ambrose music department each year during the holiday season. QCSaxmas takes place in the North Park Mall on a Saturday morning and early afternoon in either late November or early December.
It was originally inspired by a very similar event in San Jose.
All participants receive their music ahead of time. They then show up Saturday morning, and rehearse it together for only a few hours, before performing the music for the entire mall.
“We are proud to put on this amazing event each year and bring all kinds of saxophonists together,” said Danelle Kvapil on behalf of QCSaxmas. Kvapil also helps put on a 4th of July themed saxophone event in the summer.
In order to qualify for the event, musicians are expected to have around two years of experience playing the saxophone. The music is designed to be easy to pick up in the short rehearsal time.
It is truly a unique experience having saxophone players from middle school ages all the way to players with decades of experience all joining together to share a passion for their instrument and create a performance.
“I love seeing so many people I know and also so many people I don’t know all coming together for this event,” said junior saxophonist Oliver Kremer.
Not only does the event have participants of all ages, but it also features almost the entire range of saxophone types. Alto,soprano and tenor saxophones are by far the most common,, but most players will never see a sopranino or a bass saxophone in person. QC Saxmas is an opportunity for players to learn and experience these rare types of saxophones in a way that they likely would be able to otherwise.
“We are looking forward to continuing to bring this incredible event to the Quad Cities each year,” said Kvapil.
QCSaxmas is an extremely unique annual event where any saxophone player can join a community of other players to make an amazing performance together.
