George Shrapnell

George is a freelance Saxophone and woodwind musician, playing all the saxophones, Bb flat and Bass Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo and recently the Oboe. He is also a composer and writes for many different ensembles and genres: saxophone quartet, contemporary chamber ensembles and choirs. Enjoying a diverse spectrum of music, George works in the fields of Jazz, contemporary classical and Musical Theatre alike. In secondary school and Sixth Form, George discovered the sounds of many of the greats in sax history whilst being taught by Paul Styles. Some personal favourites include: Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Paul Desmond and Charlie Parker. At Goldsmiths, George is taught by saxophone aficionados, Mick Foster (personal tutor), and Paul Bartholomew (college big band & arranging), and has had lessons from other highly regarded players such as Jay Craig and Andy Keenan. George is honoured to have been able to work with and alongside figures such as Labi Siffre, Marin Alsop and Earl Carpenter. As well as workshops with Nigel Hitchcock, Chris White and Andy Scott. George’s interests lie in performance, composition & arranging. A passionate big band enthusiast, George plays not only in Goldsmiths’ Jazz band on the baritone chair, but also dep’s for all the sax chairs for a couple of big bands in London (Duke Street Big Band) and back home in Winchester (Belgarum Big Band). A keen theatre musician, George has played for countless shows ranging from classics such as Guys And Dolls, West Side Story and 42nd Street to name but a few, to contemporary musicals such as 9 to 5 and The Witches of Eastwick. He has also had experience recording professionally for a commercial abroad. As the current Musical Director of the Musical Theatre society, George has transcribed and arranged new scores for recent shows as well as composing original underscores to accompany. He has recently MD’d the society’s production of ‘Our House’. I offer services as both a solo artist and section player and in composition and arranging. Please do not hesitate to get in contact to see if we can work together somehow!