Saxophonist and composer Christian Forshaw will be premiering Sanctuary, the first of a series of commissions for his ensemble tonight at 7.30pm at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, High Street, Oxford. The work being performed is the first of a series of commissions from the Rev Julie Nicholson, dedicated to the memory of her daughter Jenny who was a victim of the London bombings.

Julie says that it was Christian Forshaw's music that helped her get through the difficult period after her daughter's death and she and her family wanted a piece of music to remember Jenny by.

The composer's work has been described as having a heart-rending simplicity. It is also considered to be both different and very beautiful.

Sanctuary is the collaboration of saxophone, voices, church organ and percussion. The music travels from moments of extraordinary purity though to times of extreme intensity. It will be sung by the composer's own hand-picked selection of singers who sing in The Sixteen and Monteverdi Choirs. They were chosen specifically for their clear tone and purity of voice.

Christian Forshaw began working with the church organ in 1995 and became intrigued by the saxophone's ability to sit within the sound of the organ, almost as another stop, but with a more human, expressive quality, as the organ's sound is static once the key is pressed whereas the sound of the saxophone is ever-changing and moving.

The programme tonight will also include his own compositions and arrangements taken from his best selling albums Sanctuary and Renouncement.

Tickets can be reserved by phoning 01865 305305 or online from www.ticketsoxford.com. They are also available at the door.