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 Times Colonist Christmas Fund, just as they have done for many years.

The group began in the mid-1980s when two clarinet and three saxophone players at the TC 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 luckily Peter Gardner joined the group, because he is a music arranger. “It is very difficult finding suitable Christmas music for five saxophones,” explained Hauser.

This month the musicians played at homes such as Oak Bay Lodge, Berwick Royal Oak and Renaissance Retirement Residence — as well at the Salvation Army dinner in Langford’s Our Lady of the Rosary.

Any organization that wants them to play next year can contact Hauser at 250-544-0054 or dahauser@telus.net

For more information on the Times Colonist Christmas Fund and how to donate, go to timescolonist.com/christmasfund