The first of Tauranga Musica's 2014 Concert Series is on this month, beginning with audience members being serenaded by the saxophone.

Hanumi Saxophone Quartet is opening the series on Sunday, March 23, at Tauranga Park Auditorium from 3pm.

Hanumi Saxophone Quartet includes Tauranga musician Michael Jamieson (right).

Tauranga member Michael Jamieson will play the soprano saxophone, alongside Harmke Seinen (alto saxophone), Miriam Kotter (tenor saxophone), and Lukas Stappenbeck (baritone saxophone).

The group, which formed in 2006, will perform works by Singelee, Florio, Grieg, Debussy, and more.

Michael says the saxophone is such a special instrument.

'People associate it with rock and jazz, but it first appeared in classical music in the mid-19th Century. I think what is nice about classical music is that it often has a story to tell – and there is no better way to experience this story-telling than in a live concert.

'I think people will enjoy the variety of music we have in our programme, and also appreciate the flexibility of the saxophone.”

Tickets are $32 for adults and $10 for youth from www.tgamusica.co.nz or 07 575 8160.

Organiser Barry Ward is hopeful the series will reignite people's passion for classical music.

'We've been trying to encourage people to listen to classical music – but it's a hard job. People don't seem to be as interested.”

Tauranga Musica is now in its 16th year and Barry would love to see residents give the genre a try.

He says the first concert is special because the saxophone is an instrument not heard often enough in today's society.