The Brass Factory

Dallas Brass (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:09:00 +0000

Since its founding in 1983 by Michael Levine, the Dallas Brass has become one of America’s foremost musical ensembles. The group has established a unique blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of drums and percussion, which creates a performing entity of extraordinary range and musical challenges. The Dallas Brass repertoire includes classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music.

In addition to their solo engagements, the Dallas Brass appears with symphony orchestras nationwide. Symphonic credits include the Cincinnati Pops conducted by Erich Kunzel, New York Pops conducted by Skitch Henderson, and the Philly Pops conducted by Peter Nero. The Dallas Brass has performed at Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and has toured overseas to Europe and the Far East. They have shared the stage with the late Bob Hope, have performed for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, have appeared on the CBS “Early Show,” and their music has been used numerous times on the television show, “The Young & The Restless.”

The ensemble has released six recordings: Debut, Dallas Brass II, A Merry Christmas with Brass, Windborne, Nutcracker and American Musical Journey. The Dallas Brass has a strong dedication to working with young musicians, frequently going into the public schools to present clinics and workshops for students of all ages.

Trombones de Costa Rica

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:54:00 +0000

TROMBONES DE COSTA RICA, winners of the Costa Rican National Award of Music in 1997 and the City of Passau ´s Special Price in Germany in 1999, is one of the most innovative and virtuosistic brass ensembles of the American Continent.

Since its foundation in 1991, TCR has distinguished itself for its clear projection to varied audiences through recitals and educational programs. The variety of this group’s repertoire is evident in their recordings entitled Contrastes, Imágenes, Trombonismos and Latinoamérica which present a mix of standard classical and Costa Rican music. In addition, the ensemble has commissioned works from composers worldwide.

¨I can assure that the Costa Rican Trombone Quartet is one of the most interesting brass ensembles I have heard in years¨ said the famed saxophone virtuoso Paquito D´Rivera after witnessing a recording session of the ensemble.

TCR has traveled extensively throughout the American continent the Caribbean and Europe. In addition to ensemble recitals, TCR has performed as guest soloist ensemble with mayor ensembles such as the Costa Rican National Symphony, the United States Army Band, the Oregon State University Symphonic Band, the Carroll College Wind Ensemble, the University of Miami Wind Ensemble, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador, San José National Band and the University of Costa Rica Wind Ensemble.

International Trombone Festival June 2011 (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:04:00 +0000

Welcome to ITF 2011: 40th Anniversary in Nashville

''It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to ITF 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. This is where Henry Romersa started it all as the International Trombone Workshop 40 years ago. Some of you will remember the first nine years at Peabody College before it became part of Vanderbilt University and then another eight at Belmont College (now University).''

This year's 40th Anniversary ITF will honor the traditions of "Inspiring Virtuosity" with some of those folks who made the early International Trombone Workshops a success while pointing the way for the next 40 years with a line up that is truly inspirational.

Vanderbilt University and its Blair School of Music are proud to serve as the host site for ITF with nearby Belmont providing the venue for most of the Jr. ITF activities with Dr. Jeff Phillips in the lead. Music City is the home of all types of music with collaboration and cooperation being a local tradition that will be in full display during the Festival.

Read more...

Brass Quintet of the USAF Reserve

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:02:00 +0000

The Brass Quintet is the most versatile small ensemble of the Band of the United States Air Force Reserve. With a repertoire spanning five centuries, they are equally at home performing everything from Renaissance and Baroque music all the way to jazz, popular music, marches and patriotic selections. The group is also dedicated to performing original compositions for Brass Quintet, frequently performing such pieces as David Sampson's "Morning Music," and Eric Ewazen's "Frost Fire."

A mainstay of the "Hay House in Music" chamber music series in Macon, GA, the Brass Quintet performs a variety of different community relations concerts throughout the southeast. All of the group's members are dedicated to music education, sharing their enthusiasm and expertise in a lively education program presented to young audiences across America. The Quintet also provides clinics and master classes to secondary school and college students. The Brass Quintet was featured in performance in 1999 & 2001 at the Brass Quintet Competition, 2000 Raphael Mendez Brass Institute, and Festival of the Americas in Athens, Georgia. They have worked with some of the best brass quintet artists in the industry, such as Atlanta Symphony Brass, Allan Dean, Fred Mills, and the Meridian Arts Ensemble.

Recordings:
Star Spangled Banner
Rollong Thunder

Slide Factory (The Netherlands)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:40:00 +0000

Spectacular opening on April 14 2011

Slide factory will start in a spectacular way on April 14 with the Opening Concert in the main hall of De Doelen. Among others, singer Nynke Laverman, jazz legend James Morrison and world famous trombonist Nitzan Haroz will give their best at this concert. This evening will bring all music styles, classical, new composed, world music and jazz, it is a blueprint of the festival. Single tickets € 15, - are available at De Doelen website.

Axiom Brass (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:07:00 +0000

Praised for their “high level of musicality and technical ability” and for their “clean, clear and precise sound”, the award-winning Axiom Brass Quintet has quickly established itself as “one of the major art music groups in brass chamber music.” Winners of the 2008 International Chamber Brass Competition and prize-winners of the 2010 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, the Preis der Europa-Stadt Passau, the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and the Jeju City International Brass Quintet Competition in South Korea, the Axiom Brass is dedicated to enhancing the musical life of communities across the globe and educating the next generation of musicians.

Axiom’s commitment to education and their blend of virtuosic performances and dynamic teaching have inspired young audiences around the nation, earning the ensemble the 2010 Fischoff Educator Award. Their educational concert “Let’s Make Music” has captivated thousands of elementary and middle school students in the USA.
Internationally recognized for their groundbreaking programming, their repertoire ranges from jazz and Latin music to string quartet transcriptions, as well as original compositions for brass quintet. Axiom Brass’ performances have captured the hearts and imaginations of their audiences, leading the ensemble to national radio and television appearances as well as concerts in Asia, Europe and across the USA.

More info HERE

Mnozil Brass in Holland

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:33:00 +0000

(Advertisement)

In the latest show of Mnozil Brass - Magic Moments - the seven masters bring the audience into ecstasy with quality brass music. With their superb arrangements and original compositions, the beautiful brass sounds come to full advantage.

Mnozil Brass brings theater to life with their musical show consisting of musical theater, entertainment, comedy and cabaret. An evening program with unprecedented musical talent.

Are you in Holland? Go to the show in theater Kunstmin Dordrecht. When? June 10, 2011.

The city of Dordrecht has existed since the year 1220 and is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Visit Dordrecht first and then go to the concert.

More info Here and Here

Øystein Baadsvik

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:05:00 +0000

Ferry Tales is the name of Øystein Baadsvik's eight' CD.

It contains mostly new material but also creative arrangements of classics such as Somewhere over the Rainbow and Borodin's Prince Igor.
It is unlike anything you have heard before and took eleven years to complete.

The Brasstrooper

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Seen on Obvious Winner

Los Angeles Brass (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:21:00 +0000

The Los Angeles Brass Ensemble is changing the way music is performed and experienced. From trail blazing classical and jazz arrangements, to remarkable original compositions, to burning pop standards, the Los Angeles Brass Ensemble sets new definitions in brass performance while thrilling audiences with an entirely fresh and exhilarating musical experience that’s perfect for all ages.

With an eye popping size of 14 brass musicians, the Ensemble’s captivating and animated programming mixed with its quick-witted humor, beaming personality and intoxicating musical knowledge results in a thrilling concert of day or evening entertainment that is not to be missed. The Los Angeles Brass Ensemble eclipses the standard brass literature with an assortment of hair-raising arrangements and compelling original compositions that redefine the role of brass music. Whether through classical, jazz or pop, audiences of all ages are continually treated to an extraordinary musical event that is unparalleled in entertainment today.

The members of the Los Angeles Brass Ensemble have toured the United States, Europe and Asia providing entertainment for such icons as the Queen of England, Bill Gates, Merv Griffin and Disney-Japan, and have appeared in some of the most famous concert halls in the world including the Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Golden Horn Brass Quintet (Turkey)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:42:00 +0000

Golden Horn Brass Quintet is a classical music band that is a first of its kind in Turkey. The first brass quintet of Turkey, consisting of 2 trumpets, a horn, a trombone, and a tuba; presents a brand new sound, quite different from the ordinary instrument combinations, to the audience. Even though knowing there are not many works or productions in the world for such a band, the five musicians going after the ‘difficult but beautiful’, request works from present Turkish composers, as well as having certain important pieces in the musical literature arranged for their band, from baroque to jazz.

Their goal is clear: with their different formation of copper instruments, bring a breath of fresh air to first the Turkish audience, then to the music that is in search of new sounds. GOLDEN HORN BRASS QUINTET was established in order to make the ‘copper wind instruments’ more popular via concerts, in 2004 by Begüm Gökmen (Azimzade), and started actively in July 2004. Keeping this goal in mind, the group which is meticulous on choosing programs, in addition to its colorful repertoire from baroque to the modern, has ordered compositions from many Turkish composers.

Daniel Speer Brass (Hu)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:39:00 +0000

The members of the band were educated in the Ferenc Liszt Music Academy in Pécs. Their repertoire is taken from the music of five centuries. They play renaissance ,baroque,classical romantic and contemporary pieces in concert halls ,churhs and also castles. They had a lot of successful concerts in Hungary and they gave excellent concerts in European towns and cities , like Sofia, Berlin, Nürnberg, Stuttgart, Trier, Paris and Bukarest.The Hungarian Radio and the Hungarian Television also recorded their play. The band often plays to students beside the public concerts. On these small concerts the students are able to get to know the instruments and it helps their musical education in a playful way.

The band took part in the „Subscrition Concerts for Youth” in the National Philharmony in several times. From 1997 Zoltán Péter gives an exciting tune with his drums to some piece of classical music (e.g. : renaissance dances) and to the rhythm of other lighter pieces. Jazz-treatments, marches, polkas, ragtimes and music for motion pictures colour the repertoire of classical music.In the show-performances a curiosity is the choreography of movements during their playing.

In spectacular scenes of the programme called „Operated Operas” the costumes and the parody raises a laugh in the audience. This is similar to the „Jazz-show” . These programmes are very popular in protocol events, for instance in receptions, congresses, parties and balls.The permanent guest artist of the band is jr. Tamás Katona in the open-air festivals from 2003. With the youngest and maybe the most talented blues guitar player of Hungary it is easy to sound blues, blues-rock, music for motion pictures or western arrangements. You can also recognize this colourful aspect on the casette and CD recordings. High standard and the love of the audience feature the music and thinking of Daniel Speer Brass.

The El Paso Brass

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 23:17:00 +0000

One of the Southwest United States' finest brass quintets, renowned for outstanding musicianship and the diversity of its repertoire.
Thae ensemble is composed of key members of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and other distinguished musicians from the Southwest.
Each member of EPB is also an educator and the ensemble has many performance programs which place an emphasis on education as well as entertainment. These programs have been presented to more than 100,000 students as part of EPB's "Brass in Class" series.

Listen:
All the things you are

Double Trouble-Duet for Tuba by Barbara Thompson

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Tuba virtuosi Les Neish & James Gourlay perform Barbara Thompson's composition, "Double Trouble" at the launch party for the CD of the same name.

The Cosy Brass Quartet (Belgium)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 23:27:00 +0000

The Cosy Brass Quartet invites you on its voyage of discovery through the musical world from the 19th century till today.
Since its foundation in 1999, the Cosy Brass Quartet aims for a revival of the saxhorn brass quartet, giving it its merited role on the concert-scene.

Its strength (two cornets, tenorhorn and euphonium) allows the Cosy Brass Quartet to produce a warm and vivid sound, resulting in an extraordinary musical experience and offering well balanced ensemble-playing. As from its first musical appearance, the quartet is described as "most pleasant" and "sounding surprisingly fresh".

The Cosy Brass Quartet is exceptional in its musical qualities as well as in its repertoire. The program offers well-known names as well as works of the most respected Belgian composers, always in a light and entertaining performance.

The Cosy Brass Quartet collaborates with the Dutch KRO- and the Belgian CANVAS-television. It cooperates with both the Belgian Radio 2 and KLARA classical radio and plays at the prestigious 'Festival Van Vlaanderen'.

In 2004 the Cosy Brass Quartet participates successfully in two international contests: it wins the 'Internationale Ensemble- en Solistenwedstrijd' in Kerkrade (the Netherlands) and the 'British Open Soloist and Quartet Championships' in Manchester (England). Members of the jury appreciated 'the fine balanced and transparent ensemble-playing'.
In 2006 the Cosy Brass Quartet again wins the first prize in Kerkrade, and in 2008 it regains the winners cup in Manchester.

Heavy Tuba (Austria)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:31:00 +0000

Heavy Tuba was founded by Heimo Schmid in 1993. The musicians are from the Upper Austrian classical and jazz scene. Three tubas, four euphoniums, doubling at times on trombone, als well as a rhythm section of five contributes to the perhaps untraditional sound.
Since 1997 is the British vocalist Dorretta Carter a member of the ensemble.
The band cooperated with tuba soloists Jon Sass (4CDs), Howard Johnson and Joe Daley. Heavy Tuba combines classic, jazz, rock, funk and soul and cannot be compared to any other group.
The common place or usual is not what „Heavy Tuba“ ist about.They present once again the virtouosity of modern tuba playing in its unique substance. Nevertheless, the good old themes cannot be denied – exactly the opposite. It is music that definitely goes in your ear, but cannot be cubbyholed or easily classified.

Intrada Brass (GB)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 12:23:00 +0000

Intrada Brass Ensemble is based in Preston in Lancashire, England, and was formed originally as a quartet in the 1970's, gradually developing into the 11-piece ensemble we have today. Intrada uses, for the most part, a 10-piece formation plus percussion, consisting of four trumpets, french horn, four trombones, tuba and percussion. This expanded brass quintet was developed in order to play a wider variety of music in concert situations than is possible with more conventional and smaller ensembles. The flexibility it gives to composers and arrangers, in terms of texture, colour, range and dynamic contrast, are considerable, especially when mutes and other instruments such as piccolo and D/Eb trumpets, flugel horn and a wide variety of percussion are skillfully wielded.
They carry out all sorts of engagements, from easy listening and wedding music, to full formal concerts. Some of these involve other performers, such as choirs, while others feature the variety of Intrada Brass Ensemble exclusively. Intrada is available in its full 11-piece formation, or smaller groups (quintet, for example) to provide that extra special accompaniment to wedding ceremonies.

A considerable amount of our repertoire is arranged by members of the ensemble, which means that Intrada will always have something new to listen to, though they don't neglect any of the old favorites. They play a wide range of light music through to classical.

Burning River Brass (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 21:01:00 +0000

Since 1996, Burning River Brass has been dazzling audiences from Alaska to Taiwan with "power and virtuosity," "harmonious blend," and "consistently stirring performances." Composed of twelve of the finest brass and percussion players in the country, Burning River Brass is an ensemble on fire!

The original inspiration behind Burning River Brass was to give great players who were also good friends a chance to play together on a consistent basis. Soon after the first rehearsal in May 1996, BRB began to grow rapidly. The ensemble made its debut in September of 1996 in Tremont, Ohio under the auspices of Arts Renaissance Tremont and by 1998 was touring nationally.

Burning River Brass is consistently applauded for the infectious joy with which it performs. In concert, the ensemble presents a variety of music designed to satisfy the tastes of every audience. BRB’s repertoire includes fresh arrangements of classic literature as well as original works written specifically for the group. The camaraderie continues into BRB’s educational and outreach programs, where the players provide students with a rich, positive experience to encourage their enthusiasm for music in the future.

Bay Street Brassworks (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:32:00 +0000

Bay Street Brassworks is one of America's finest and busiest brass ensembles. Founded in 1995, this versatile brass quintet performs a wide variety of musical genres ranging from classical music to Dixieland jazz; show tunes, classic rock, movie music, and anything in between. This professional brass quintet is based in Baltimore, Maryland and Indianapolis, Indiana. The ensemble is also part of the touring rosters of River City Artists Management and Producers, Inc., Tampa, Florida, and formerly on the touring roster with "Live on Stage" LLC, Nashville, Tennessee, bringing the music of Bay Street Brassworks to audiences throughout the United States and abroad.

Bay Street Brassworks range of musical abilities has produced engagements ranging from opening ceremonies at Baltimore Orioles baseball games to world premier performances and clinics alongside the American Brass Quintet, Harvey Phillips, Gunther Schuller and Eric Ewazen at the 2004 Brass Chamber Music Forum in Boone, North Carolina, honoring the 50th anniversary of the New York Brass Quintet.

In 2004, renowned percussionist Amin Gumbs joined the ensemble bringing a texture to the group that has audiences taking notice and wanting more.

Artistic collaborations with other world-class artists have resulted in performances with members of the Annapolis and New York Brass Quintets, the Baltimore Symphony brass section, principal trumpet of the National Symphony Orchestra Steven Hendrickson and conductor Harlan Parker. Musical explorations have ranged from Eric Ewazen's Shadowcatcher and Fisher Tull's Concerto Grosso to Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata.

Bay Street Brassworks has performed at most of the major Universities from coast to coast and is the premiere educational brass ensemble of its kind, having cooperative relationships with a number of Young Audiences state organizations, providing both educational and concert opportunities. The musicians derive great satisfaction from their youth activities and spend considerable amounts of their time encouraging and mentoring young brass players across the country. Currently, Bay Street Brassworks are performing artists for Young Audiences of Maryland, United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, North Carolina, The Johnston County Arts Council, North Carolina, The Arts Council of Fayetteville / Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the South Carolina Arts Commission. The ensemble has performed hundreds of educational programs, demonstration concerts, master classes, as well as, individual instructional clinics.

"SPRING" from FOUR SEASONS
ROYAL GARDEN BLUES

More to read...

David Childs

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:04:00 +0000

King Edward III once said: "If you want to train a longbowman, start with his grandfather." This adage holds just as true for British euphonium soloist David Childs, born in the mining village of Grimethorpe in 1981, to a family whose name had been synonymous with brass for the last two generations. His grandfather John was a well-respected euphonium player from the Welsh Valleys who inspired his sons, Robert & Nicholas to take up euphonium. Robert began teaching his son David from an early age and in recent years David has emerged as one of the finest brass soloists of his generation.

In the year 2000 he broke new ground for the euphonium becoming the first euphonium soloist to win the brass final of the televised 'BBC Young Musician of the Year’ which led to David’s highly acclaimed première performance of Philip Wilby’s Concerto for Euphonium with the BBC Philharmonic under the direction of Yan Pascal Totelier. In the same year David was awarded the coveted ‘Euphonium Player of the Year’ title, a title he won again in 2004 and still holds today. Since that time David has been instrumental in raising the euphonium’s profile in the classical world of music and has not ceased to wow audiences with his astonishing technique, extrovert musicality and engaging stage presence.

Read more...

Holton TR395 MF Super Bone

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 21:52:00 +0000

Famed recording artist Maynard Ferguson first brought the Holton TR395 MF Super Bone to fame.
The Holton MF Superbone features both a trombone hand slide for the right hand and 3 valves for the left hand that can both be used at the same time. The Super Bone is available in lacquer finish.
Also called the double trombone, the TR395 combines all of the characteristics of a slide trombone with all of the advantages of a valve trombone.
Musicians may perform any slide/valve combination accurately and smoothy, while eliminating excessive hand movements.
It allows special Effects from any pitch to any other pitch as well as Vibrato on any other pitch. The TR395 is free-blowing throughout its diversified system.

The Cleveland Orchestra's horn section

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 20:52:00 +0000

EASTLAKE, Ohio -- The factory floor at Conn-Selmer Inc. in Eastlake is a decidedly unmusical place. Most employees, in fact, wear ear-plugs to drown out the noise of machines constantly cutting, shaping and baking metal.
Yet this is where a unique collaboration between the Cleveland Orchestra and a nearby manufacturer took root. It's here where some of the world's top musicians and a local producer of brass instruments first united in a harmonious partnership now garnering prestige and business around the world.
"Once people hear the Cleveland Orchestra is playing our instruments, that helps a lot," said Mark Gifford, the plant's product engineer. "They go out the door as fast as we can build them."
Like every tale of innovation, this one begins with a problem.

A few years ago, Richard King, principal horn of the Cleveland Orchestra, needed a new instrument, a replacement for the Conn 8D he'd been playing for ages. Problem was, newer versions of the widely prized horn didn't compare with the instruments made 40 or 50 years ago.

Rather than track down another second-hand horn, however, King went to Conn-Selmer, a respected maker of band and orchestral instruments, and persuaded the company to re-fashion the 8D according to principles of the original design. Before long, by late 2008, he had a shiny new replica in his hands.

"I was really surprised they started making an instrument I liked better than the one I'd been playing for 20 years," King said, noting the new horn's craftsmanship, sound quality and resonant nickel-silver alloy.

But the tale doesn't end with the making of a custom horn for one high-priority customer. At King's suggestion, Conn-Selmer resurrected the entire model, now called C.G. Conn Vintage 8D. Each horn is built from scratch in Eastlake along with trumpets, trombones, tubas and other brass instruments.

Read more...

The West Point Brass (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 12:26:00 +0000

The West Point Brass (formerly the Storm King Brass) is comprised of musicians in the West Point Band. Founded in 2003, the ensemble presents a diverse repertoire, from Renaissance to modern works, to its audiences. In support of military functions, the quintet has entertained the United States Corps of Cadets and performed for many visiting dignitaries and heads of state at West Point. Additionally, the ensemble actively performs throughout the New York metropolitan area. The ensemble has also been featured throughout the country, including performances in Florida, Oregon, Connecticut, South Dakota, Utah, and Iowa.

LISTEN TO THE WEST POINT BRASS
Two-Step for Mr. B
MTV for Jerry

The United States Army Brass Quintet

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 12:07:00 +0000

The U.S. Army Brass Quintet has entertained nation-wide audiences with its performances on National Public Radio, NBC’s “Today Show,” the CBS “Sunday Morning Show,” ABC, Fox TV, CNN, TNN, “Larry King Live,” as well as international audiences on the BBC. It has also performed on a wide variety of local and regional broadcasts such as WCBS in New York. Recently, the Army Brass Quintet found itself performing the National Anthem for televised Major League Baseball, NBA, and NHL games as well as NASCAR races. It has even been featured on the Food Network.

The repertoire for the ensemble includes over 500 selections from all eras and genres of classical music as well as a variety of popular music, interactive entertainment, video, and works for children’s concerts. The Army Brass Quintet’s library also includes historic music from the American Civil War which the ensemble enjoys performing on authentic instruments. Commissioned works as well as works produced by The U.S. Army Band’s arranging staff complete its repertoire.

The U.S. Army Brass Quintet enjoys an outstanding tradition of supporting national and international educational conferences such as Music Educators National Conference, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, as well as the international conferences of the various brass associations. The ensemble was the first military group to start the tradition of performing for the instrument associations in 1977 at the International Trumpet Guild Conference.

Guca Madness 13-08 - 22-08-10 (Serbia)

noreply@blogger.com (Ed) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:36:00 +0000

The village of gucha in the Dragacevo district, peaceful and colorful part of western Serbia , has gained world fame owing to its Assembly of Trumpet Players, the largest trumpet event on the planet. The love of the people of Dragacevo for music, especially for the trumpet, began in the rule of Prince Milos Obrenovic, who ordered the formation of the first military band in 1831. From then until now the trumpet has reigned here uninterrupted while woodwind instruments, in keeping with the customs, warm the soul of its population. The sound of the trumpet traditionally accompanies every major event in Serbia's rural and small-town life: births, baptisms, weddings, Slav {family patron saint day}, farewell parties for those joining military service, state and church festivals, harvesting, reaping, and also departing this world. Appropriate music is played on these occasions, thus preserving the spirit of the existing tradition. The music is very diverse: from indigenous melodies, via kolo {a fast-rhythm chain dance}, marches and characteristic southern Serbia cocek dances, all the way to tunes that have emerged more recently, but always taking care to honor old harmonies. This music has won over the hearts of not only the local population, but has also warmed the hearts of outsiders and foreigners. In the several days of the Gucha festival, hardly anyone can resist giving themselves to the adrenalin-rushing rhythms and melodies that simply force one to jump to ones feet and dance.

Read more...

Guca 2007 - Documentary
Geüpload door nickstreet83. - Muziek video's, interviews met artiesten, concerten en meer.