Making merry with five saxophones and a lone guitarist, members of Santa Sax Quintet spent last month entertaining seniors all over Greater Victoria.
They are making life rosier during the holidays too, by donating their proceeds -- $450 -- to the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund, as they have for many years.
The group began in the mid-1980s when two clarinet and three saxophone players at the sa国际传媒 decided to play Christmas carols for staff. "Later we did pub crawls on the last Sunday before Christmas with family and friends, playing for free beer," said band manager Don Hauser.
In 1990, they switched to five saxophones and Peter Gardner joined the group. It was a lucky break, because Gardner is a music arranger. "It is very difficult finding suitable Christmas music for five saxophones," explained Hauser.
This month, the musicians played at facilities such as Oak Bay Lodge, Berwick Royal Oak and Renaissance Retirement Residence -- as well as at the Salvation Army dinner in Langford's Our Lady of the Rosary.
Any organization that wants the group to play next year can contact Hauser at 250-544-0054 or [email protected].
HOW TO DONATE
The sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund is accepting donations now for this year.
- Mail a cheque to the sa国际传媒 Christmas Fund, 2621 Douglas St., Victoria, sa国际传媒 V8T 4M2.
- Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438.
- Donate online through our partnership with the Queen Alexandra Foundation at www.queenalexandra.org
- The Christmas Bureau can be reached at 250-388-5704.
One hundred per cent of funds raised go to needy families
