Apollo commissions.

The Apollo Quartet welcome open dialogue with promoters when curating a bespoke programme for a concert series or festival. The group’s knowledge of the breadth and variety of our repertoire combined with specific audience requests, venue requirements, and any featured composers, genres or themes that promoters are focussing on ensure that each concert programme is tailored to each unique event.

The quartet will often present a selection of their commissions as the first half of a performance, and then feature the films or cartoons project as a contrasting second half. Sometimes artistic directors prefer a full concert of commissions, reflecting an overview of the development of the saxophone quartet repertoire across the 40 years that the quartet has been performing together. Occasionally the ASQ programmes works from the broader quartet repertoire, and is always open to discussion about potential collaborations and combinations of performance and education programmes. The members of the quartet always introduce their programmes, giving audiences an insight into both the collaborative process and the thoughts of each composer, and introducing each member of the group to the audience across the programme, further breaking down barriers between performer and audience. In consultation with the Apollo Quartet, promoters may build a musical journey that takes in the sophistication of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett’s ‘Quartet’, the driving percussive energy of Michael Torke’s ‘July’, Barbara Thompson’s highly imaginative ‘Quartet’ and the quirky, eccentric riot of sound that is Django Bates’ ‘Travel Cartoons for the Blind’ and balance this with some of our most recent commissions, from the brilliant Dani Howard, Grace Evangeline-Mason, Jenni Watson, Claire Cope, Bill Connor & Adam Caird - providing an unparalleled opportunity to create a constantly evolving musical landscape that will delight and enthral audiences.

Looney Tunes


Merry Melodies, Silly Symphonies & Looney Tunes

In its latest performance project, the Apollo Saxophone Quartet performs live re-orchestrated Looney Tunes and Silly Symphonies project. The members of the group painstakingly reconstructed the iconic orchestral scores from the original cartoons, from as far back as 1938, and re-scored these for saxophone quartet and

live foley effects (bird whistles, duck calls, swannee whistles, coconut shells and many more) which the quartet perform as part of the perfectly synchronised accompaniment to the action on the big screen. The groundbreaking project combines breathtaking saxophone performances with classic animation and has been performed at major venues across the UK to critical and audience acclaim during our 40th anniversary season, including the premiere at Glossop Music Festival in 2025, and subsequent concerts at Turner Sims Concert Hall, Shrewsbury Concert Series, Stapleford Granary and the Wirral Chamber Music Festival.

"Last night's concert was superb. It's difficult to imagine the amount of work that went into the second half's Looney Tunes set : from the research; sound cleansing and editing; rescoring the music for saxophone quartet and then playing the music perfectly in sync - whilst not being distracted by the ridiculous and surreal antics on the screen. Brilliant." (Garfield Southall)

Silent Film Project.


Journey Across The Impossible
In 1998 the ASQ was commissioned to write a substantial new series of works for black-and-white film. The group chose an hour-long selection of short films, many from the early experimental days of film in the early 1900s, and set them to original scores. This critically acclaimed set has thrilled audiences of all ages across the UK, and continues to receive rave reviews wherever the quartet performs.

"A unique virtuosic banquet” Classical Music Magazine

The programme offers a captivating and thought-provoking insight into how the film world has changed since its humble beginnings over a century ago. Juxtaposed with modern soundtracks, the themes of these wonderful films are just as relevant today as when they were first conceived. The quartet performs its scores live to film, without the aid of electronic synchronisation, responding to the images and timing the music in real time exactly as the performers would have done in the golden age of silent cinema.

The music from many of these films, along with the group’s groundbreaking original scores for its Four Seasons project with poet Lemn Sissay, is recorded on the ASQ CD Word & Pictures.

Education Workshops and Performances.



Education Workshops

Many concert societies and festivals choose to programme one or more education workshops alongside a concert performance, providing the ideal opportunity to build and strengthen connections with local Music Hubs, schools, and student saxophonists of all ages and levels of experience, whilst also attracting a more diverse audience to the main concert itself. The workshops are individually tailored to suit your specific requirements, and range from saxophone ensemble sessions for students of all ages and standards playing alongside the members of the quartet, to specially curated concerts performed in schools and education settings. The groups relaxed, friendly and informative presentation skills combined with their world-class playing and teaching expertise will inspire all who take part.

Family Concerts.

Performances that are perfectly suitable for families, with the sound and vast repertoire possibilities providing a compelling draw for all ages and tastes. Drawing on our wealth of experience in education and performing for children, we deliver vibrant and exciting performances designed to both entertain and engage, with programmes that include a mixture of films and popular saxophone repertoire working especially well.

Get in touch

We hope the above information has provided some food for thought. Please get in touch to ask any questions you might have, or to enquire about dates and fees. We look forward to working with you to create a bespoke programme for your performance, and would love to hear from you if you have any specific ideas or requests. 

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