musician and educator
Neil is a freelance saxophone, clarinet and flute player who combines performing, teaching, directing and writing.
He has performed with ensembles across the UK,
including the BBC Concert Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Apollo Saxophone Orchestra, National Musicians' Symphony Orchestra, Manchester Concert Orchestra and Sax Assault.
As an in-demand woodwind 'doubler', much of Neil's performing is in London's West End and he has played on over 40 shows.
He also specialises in chamber music and has performed and recorded with various groups at concert halls and festivals around Europe.
After initially studying clarinet, Neil became the first principal-study saxophonist to graduate from
The University of Manchester. He then studied with Rob Buckland at the Royal Northern College of Music, winning awards from The Countess of Munster Musical Trust, Hattori Foundation, Proctor-Gregg Prize, Trevor Wye Prize for chamber music and reaching the semi-finals of the BBC Radio 2 Young Musician competition.
Neil is passionate about music education. He is Head of Woodwind and Visiting Music Teacher of Saxophone and Clarinet at one of the UK's leading secondary schools for music - Dame Alice Owen's School. Neil also teaches at Kingshott School, privately from his home in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, and is Woodwind Tutor for the English Schools' Orchestra.
Neil has been a course director for the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, and Benslow Music for over 10 years. He has adjudicated for the Pro Corda National Chamber Music Festival, Abertawe Festival for Young Musicians and Oundle School, and written articles for Music Teacher and
CASS magazines.
He has taught, examined and given classes at many institutions including: Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music, Junior Guildhall, The University of Manchester, Westminster School, Haileybury, Highgate School and Ampleforth College.
© 2020 Neil Crossley