Tapestry, saxophone concert, St Mary Magdalene

We are delighted to welcome saxophonist Samuel Beddard and pianist Jo Foote back to St Mary Magdalene Church for their new perfomance project TAPESTRY.

Presented as part of the church’s ‘Sunday Sessions’ concert series, TAPESTRY weaves together folk stories through a rich programme of music from across the globe, utilising a diverse range of different saxophones to explore a variety of cultural voices. For each venue, Samuel and Jo curate a unique programme centred around a specific theme to take the audience on a one-of-a-kind historical globetrotting adventure through music.

This is Samuel and Jo’s second recital tour, and many of you may have had the opportunity to hear their outstanding first concert, ‘What Shapes a Soul’ at teh church in August 2025.

Concert details

Doors open at 3pm for a glass of fizz and canapes, which are included in the £10 ticket price. The music starts at 3.20pm and will finish around 5pm, with a 20 minute interval. For tickets, please contact Angela Preston-Jones on email cottinghamchurch@gmail.com, mobile 07594 682671. Profits from the concert will go to the church ‘new loo’ fund.

Performer biographies

Samuel Beddard is a London-Midlands based saxophonist, arranger and multi-instrumentalist, specialising in music influenced by classical, folk and jazz styles. He has performed across the country, both as a soloist in venues including the De Montfort Hall, Leicester, and as an ensemble member, notably with the award-winning Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra in tours across the Midlands. Samuel initially studied under saxophonist Gerard McChrystal, and currently studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Christian Forshaw. Samuel’s debut recital project, Saxophony, celebrated the musicians of his formative years in an acclaimed one-off concert in Rugby. Samuel is also an experienced arranger and a keen educator, working with the Leicestershire Schools Music Service and the Junior Guildhall in London. For more information, please see samuelbeddard.co.uk.

Jo Foote was born in Lancashire, and studied piano, recorders and flute from the age of six. She went on to study music at Manchester University, specialising in piano performance and accompanying.  After moving to Rugby 19 years ago, Jo has been involved with many aspects of the local music scene, including repetiteur work with operatic and choral societies, directing music for local theatre productions, and working with young people through the local music service, schools and St Andrew’s Parish Church. She performs and accompanies regularly in the local area, and is currently chair of the long-standing Rugby Musical Union. Jo also sings alto in Sine Nomine Choir, and is the founder of Rugbylele, Rugby’s premier ukulele band. She has a busy freelance piano teaching practice and is a lecturer in performing arts at Warwickshire College.