Grace Macdonald

Grace Macdonald is a recent graduate from the Royal Northern College of Music where she received a 1st class Bachelor of Music with Honours degree in Saxophone Performance. Grace began her musical journey in Jersey where she began playing the saxophone aged 11. While in Jersey, Grace went on to be ‘Jersey’s Young Woodwind Player’ in 2012 and 2013. She also won the Jersey Symphony Award in 2013 leading to her concerto debut with the Jersey Youth Chamber Orchestra and a solo performance with the Jersey Symphony Orchestra. At age 17, Grace achieved a place at the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music, where she studied for two years. Whilst at Chetham’s, Grace was given an education in all aspects of music; performance, teaching, academic and theoretical. Grace took part in ‘How to teach’ masterclasses as well as obtaining her Amus diploma in Music Theory. She was also granted many performance opportunities; including a performance of Bernstein’s On the Waterfront at the Barbican in London with the Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra and a performance of the Ronald Binge Saxophone concerto with the Bridgnorth Sinfonia. She also performed regularly with piano around Europe, including Ischia, Italy and St James, Piccadilly in London. Grace left Chetham’s with three As at A level, distinction in grade 8 for piano and singing, distinction in grade 6 for flute and clarinet and a diploma in saxophone performance with distinction. Grace joined the accelerated 3-year-course Bmus at the RNCM in 2015. Throughout her time at RNCM Grace has performed with several RNCM ensembles, including Big Band, Session Orchestra, Jazz Collective, Brand New Orchestra, Saxophone Orchestra and ArkEnsemble. As well as this, Grace has premiered several new pieces as a soloist including two concertos; one with the RNCM Brand New Orchestra and another externally with the Athenean String Ensemble. She has also premiered one solo work and six works for saxophone quartet. Aside from performing as a soloist, Grace performs extensively with her saxophone quartet. As well as many local concerts around Manchester, she has toured China, Switzerland and Portugal with the Abelia Saxophone Quartet. Outside of her classical studies at RNCM, Grace has spent two years performing in a Pop setting around Manchester. Gigs include DJ and Saxophone at private parties and clubs and a variety of performances (mostly weddings) with the function band Twisted Tubes. As well as performance based work, Grace has experience in teaching beginner to intermediate Woodwind and Music Theory in both Manchester and Jersey. She is also the Assistant Course director at the annual Jersey International Masterclasses.