THE UK’s only choreographed saxophone festival band are preparing to return to rehearsals as England rolls out Step Two of its roadmap out of a third national coronavirus lockdown.

Saxophonix learned their trade through Hot House Music; a not-for-profit group of music schools with groups throughout the UK and plans to open up branches in Singapore, Texas and Lyon over the next 12 months.

The group, who are between the ages of 13 and 18 and come from all over the East Midlands, will perform together for the first time in more than 12 months as restrictions are lifted later this month.

They have been virtually rehearsing songs by pop star Dua Lipa and Swedish supergroup Abba to mark the occasion and have choreographed a unique dance routine to perform, too.

And, even though there will be strict social distancing and reduced capacity at the ‘real-life’ rehearsals, the group have created ‘face masks’ for their instruments.

Jon Eno, founder of Hot House Music, says that he is thrilled that the band are getting back together and hopes that, after missing out on playing festivals in 2020 – and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to perform at the Olympic Games in Tokyo – things will start to get back to some kind of normality.

“Saxophonix had a schedule full of festivals for 2020 but, due to the pandemic, all those dates were cancelled, including the trip to Tokyo for the Olympic Games, where we were due to play at the opening ceremony and also on top of Mount Fuji,” said Jon, whose organisation experienced a 17.5% growth last year as lessons moved online.

“Our last performance was March 8 2020. We had a summer full of concerts – 200 gigs – planned last year but we’re hoping that, once all restrictions have been lifted, hopefully later in the summer, we will be able to perform our unique style at family-friendly festivals and concerts.”

Saxophonix have performed at festivals organised by TV chef Marco Pierre-White and the popular Hannells Darley Park Concert in Derby. Next year, they will be heading to the USA to perform in Times Square on American Independence Day, July 4.

Jon says that, even though there has been a break between lockdowns over the past year, getting the whole group together has been difficult logistically.

He said: “The risk assessments we had to go through to get everyone in one room made performing so difficult.

“Even when we do begin face-to-face rehearsals again, we will be restricted on numbers with some members having to rehearse online.

“Our unique aerosol cover, though – think of a beret or face mask for a saxophone – will give added protection against the spread of coronavirus. We’re pretty impressed with the invention!”

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The first ‘real-life’ rehearsal will take place at Cherry Tree Primary School in Derby, on Tuesday, April 20.

Founded in Derby in 2002, Hot House Music alumni have gone on to work with chart-topper Lewis Capaldi and the 1975, while other former pupils include heart surgeon and scientist who worked on the Oxford coronavirus vaccination.