Shown: (left) Duo Matthew Robinson and Chinley Hinacay, and (right) Cole Knutson. (Nicole Romanoff Photography and BattlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

'Going for Baroque'

Saxophone duo and pianist Knutson to play NB concert

Jul 6, 2022 | 1:16 PM

Those interested in hearing some live music in the Battlefords this Sunday will be in for a treat.

Saxophone duo Chinley Hinacay and Matthew Robinson, who make up the Prairie Saxophone Initiative, will perform a show called “Going for Baroque.”

The concert is part of their Western Canada tour this summer.

For the local event, they will be joined by guest artist and pianist Cole Knutson from North Battleford. Knutson is currently undertaking a doctoral program at the Royal College of Music in London, England, after finishing two Master’s Degrees from the Guildhall School of Music.

Hinacay, who is also the director of the North Battleford City Kinsmen Band, hopes the concert helps people learn more about the saxophone, and how it can be used in classical music.

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“A big reason why we want to do this sort of outreach stuff is there is just a lack of public awareness for classical saxophone,” he said. “Several people I’ve met in North Battleford have no idea that classical saxophone was even a thing, and were very surprised when I mentioned it. This is true in many places if you are not already involved in that specific genre.”

Hinacay explained a saxophonist is capable of the same level of expressivity as a violinist or pianist, for example.

Tickets to the concert will be free for those 17 and under, and half-price for university students to encourage more people to attend.

“We just really want to sell out a space for students to listen to this kind of music,” Hinacay said.

The concert is also a fundraiser for upcoming projects focused on creating educational opportunities and promoting diversity. All proceeds from this tour will go towards the 2022 commission project by Vancouver-based composer Ashley Seward, to create a new work for two saxophones and piano.

Robinson, a Winnipeg-based musician and an educational assistant with a middle-school band program mentioned in addition to the classical pieces the upcoming concert will also feature some contemporary numbers.

He added he is excited to be giving this show in North Battleford.

“Every time I have ever come out there it has been a wonderful experience. I’m looking forward to actually doing a full performance out there.”

The concert will take place at the Third Avenue United Church at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance here or at the door. A mandatory mask policy is in effect as a COVID-19 precaution.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW