Francesco Borg has been studying music from an early age. He started playing the violin and piano but after a few years moved on to the saxophone as he preferred wind instruments.
At the age of 12 Francesco moved to Campbeltown, Scotland with his family and lived in the UK for 12 years. Although it is a rural area there is a lot of interest in music and there he joined the schools’ Wind Band playing the saxophone and Campbeltown Brass Band playing percussion. In 2002, Francesco participated in the Kintyre Music Festival winning the first prize for the Secondary Woodwind Section and classified in the top 20 in the Argyll Music Festival. In Campbeltown he received regular tuition from Gordon Evans. While in the Campbeltown Brass he went on a tour to Manchester and several other locations in the UK, where they took part in the British Brass Band Championship; the band placing 3rd.
After 2 years Francesco, moved to Glasgow; one of the reasons being that he was offered a place at the Junior Academy at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RSAMD). He attended for three consecutive years where he studied Saxophone as his main instrument and sat for ABRSM exams. He was part of the Conservatoire Saxophone Ensemble and Wind Orchestra, where he performed in regular Student Concerts and Recitals at the institute as well as out with the Academy. He also played in the Conservatoire’s Variety Big Band playing Tenor Saxophone. While attending the academy, he joined the Kirkintilloch Variety Orchestra (an established community Big band),and played alongside ex military musicians and professional musicians, performing music in many different styles including Latin, Jazz, Swing, Pop, Film music etc. As a band member he was featured in several concerts and toured around Scotland including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (tribute to Glen Miller). In his 6th year he was offered a place at Douglas Academy which is renowned for its good music standards. Also he was a member of the School Concert Band and the East Dunbartonshire Concert Band.
Francesco furthered his studies at Perth College UHI where he obtained the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Music. At the college he took regular lessons from Saxophonist Gordon McNeil and took part in the college events as a soloist and in an ensemble. Also in the course he studied Music Composition, Music Production with Technology and Teaching Studies, Performance as major subjects. As part of his studying at the college he attended a master classes by Saxophonists Kenny G, Courtney Pine, Bill Bruford -ex drummer King Crimson, and Sting (leader of band Police).
After obtaining his HND ( Music) qualification, in 2009 he embarked on a B.Mus. (Hons); Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music run at The Sage Gateshead run by the University of Sunderland. His main studies in the course were; Music Composition and Performance, Teaching, Music Technology and Production, Critical Studies, Stylistic Studies and Jazz Improvisation, Professionals Studies and Development. In 2011 he was featured in Newcastle International Jazz Festival performing with guitarist Chris Sharkey and several other students.
Inspirations:
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), James Galway-Flute, Kenny G- Saxophone, Andy Scott- Saxophone, Kenny Garrett- Saxophone, Charlie Parker, Sting, Gloria Estefan, Courtney Pine, Maestro Ronnie Debattista, Prof. Charles Camilleri, Yanni, Vangelis, Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bill Bruford, Jonathan Moffett and many more.
Music Genre:
Jazz, Contemporary and Commercial; Classical, Jazz, Funk, 60s, 70s and 80s, Soul, Gospel, Big Band, SKA, Reggae, New Age, Progressive Rock, Experimental and Film Score.
Performed with:
· Campbeltown Grammar School Wind Band
· Campbeltown Brass Band (playing percussion)
· Douglas Academy Wind Orchestra, Scotland
· Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (ex RSAMD Junior Academy) Wind Orchestra
· Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (ex RSAMD) Saxophone Ensemble
· Kirkintilloch Variety Orchestra- Big Band
· East Dunbartonshire Council Concert Band
· Malta Police Force Band
· Malta Local Band Clubs
· Malta Citizens Orchestra
Previous Venues:
· Manchester: Brass Band Championship
· Edinburgh Fringe Festival
· Kintyre Music Festival &Argyll Music Festival Scotland
· Newcastle International Jazz Festival 2011 at The Sage Gateshead, UK.
· "Ode To Joy" Malta European Presidency 2017
· George Cross 75th Anniversary Citizens Orchestra
· "Jum il Helsien" with Malta Police Force Band 2016/17.
· 200 years Anniversary Malta Police Force Celebration 2014/15.
· The Three Palaces Festival Concert Malta.
