Nick Russoniello
Jacquie Manning
“Russoniello was cool and mellow, the sax sounding like rich, gold chocolate….a dazzling virtuoso display by the composer and performer himself." - Sydney Arts Guide
Nick Russoniello, saxophones
Nick Russoniello is a highly accomplished performer and composer with an exciting career in Australia and abroad. Nick has been the recipient of a number of major awards including the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year Award and the Fine Music Kruger Scholarship. Nick has appeared as a soloist with the Adelaide, Queensland, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras and as a guest artist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Nick is a sought-after chamber musician and his ensembles Continuum Sax, Duo Histoire and The Golden Age Project perform regularly across the country for organisations including Musica Viva, ABC Classic FM, Sydney Festival, City Recital Hall and Phoenix Central Park.
Nick’s original compositions have been gaining attention at an international level with performances at events including the World Saxophone Congress (Zagreb), the European Saxophone Festival (Porto). In 2019 Nick undertook a European tour, presenting his compositions at the Royal College of Music (London) and the Conservatorio Di Musica G. Verdi (Milan) and the Conservatoire De Strasbourg (France). Nick's Suite for Saxophone and Loop Station was recently featured on the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra’s Voyages of Musical Discovery Program.
Nick is currently a doctoral candidate at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where he tutors Composition for the Creative Industries. He is a Yamaha Australia Artist, D’addario Woodwind artist and an associate artist of The Australian Music Centre.
One Man Band
A “one-man band” mash-up from baroque to beatbox presented by award winning saxophonist Nick Russoniello.
Award winning saxophonist Nick Russoniello presents a virtuosic tour de force of melodies, counterpoint and grooves. Armed with a loop station and multiple saxophones, Russoniello journeys through music from baroque to beatbox and beyond. Audiences will be taken behind the scenes of the creative process as the music is constructed layer by layer before their eyes (and ears!). Russoniello reimagines the music of Telemann, Elena Kats-Chernin, Katy Abbot and Creedence Clearwater.
TELEMANN Fantasia No. 1 in A Major from 12 Fantasias / Telemann Loops arr. Russoniello
RUSSONIELLO Suite for Saxophones & Loop Station, I Bepopped Loops
Katy ABBOTT Egyptian Wish
RUSSONIELLO Suite for Saxophones & Loop Station, II Multi Loops
Elena KATS-CHERNIN Eliza Aria
RUSSONIELLO Suite for Saxophones & Loop Station, III After Silent Loops
John FOGERTY Down on the Corner
Approximately 60 minutes without interval
- Access to power on the stage
- PA or Amplifier
In this workshop-performance, Nick will shine a light on the secrets of the compositional process. Students will learn how to turn small and simple musical ideas into interesting and exciting pieces. Nick will perform and analyse his own compositions, explaining how the concepts of pitch, duration, tone colour, texture, expressive techniques and structure can be manipulated to engage and surprise the listener. Students will be actively involved in composing a new piece of music together with Nick on the day and will have the opportunity to present their own compositions for workshopping.
Can be tailored to any skill level from Kindergarten to HSC Music Extension
‘Innovative and exciting! Our students were greatly enriched to experience contemporary Australian composition in action. They left wide-eyed and inspired in their own music-making.’ - Amy Richardson, Director of Music, Redlands
Saxophone masterclasses and workshops are available, from beginner students to tertiary students
Throughout 2023
Book an artist
Travel to centres in regional NSW is subsidised through the support of Create NSW. Musica Viva can book the artists, arrange all travel and accommodation, provide posters, flyers and program information.
If you are interested in bringing an ensemble to your town or city, please contact:
Sean Moloney
Manager, Special Projects & Regional Touring
02 8394 6662