Brass Trios

 Hello lads! For my final post I will be delving into the brass trio repertoire as I am hoping to put together a group for the upcoming semester. To start lets look back at a familiar trio to the class, Poulenc Sonata for Horn, Trumpet, and Trombone.

Featuring Thomas Stevens, trumpet; John Cerminaro, horn; and Ralph Sauer, trombone.

Personal favorite trio of mine. The melody is extremely memorable with great usage of textures and dynamic contrast. Only real complaing would be the amount of time the horn is on the face along with some upper register sitting but that can all be worked out.

LA Phill program notes: The opening Allegro begins with a cheerful trumpet tune and unfolds as a series of buoyant dance episodes for brass, filled with shifting rhythmic patterns. At its heart, the trumpet and horn intone a more lyrical song. Rising trumpet octaves and a downward flourish announce the dancing reprise.

The lullaby-inspired song of the Andante spins off from thematic material found in the previous movement. A tendency to linger in the minor mode, softer dissonances, and a mellower pace take the edge off of this more cantabile essay.

Sounding like a slightly out-of-tune folksong, the principal theme of the bright and breezy finale launches another dancing movement. Several short episodes pepper this light-hearted Rondeau -- a delightful way to end the opening half of the program and to leave the music of one of the century’s wittiest composers.

Next lets listen to Corelli's Sonata de Chiesa Op. 3 Nr. 7 for brass trio performed by the Berlin Philharmonic Brass.

Featuring Sarah Willis, horn; Tamás Velenzcei, trumpet; and Jesper Busk Sørensen, trombone.

The Sonata da Chiesa, or church sonata, came into usage during the 17th century as instrumental ensembles became a standard medium for accompanying liturgical services. Generally consisting of four contrasting movements these sonatas were the antecedent of later forms of concert instrumental music in the 18th century. The exemplary works of this form were by the famous Italian composer Arcangelo Corelli. His Opus 3, No.7 sonata, transcribed here for brass trio, features the standard slow-fast-slow-fast four movement scheme prominent in this genre. Useful literature for brass trio is scarce and this arrangement makes an excellent addition to the repertoire.

To conclude this blog lets sail on over to a newer composition by Ricardo Albero titled Song for Nurya.

Featuring Vicente Vallet, trumpet; Javier Molina, horn; and Christian Brandhoferç, trombone.

Composer notes: A couple of years ago, at the suggestion of my dear friend and great horn player Javier Molina, I adapted "Song for Nurya" for a trio of trumpet, horn, and trombone for the chamber music series of the Symphony Orchestra of the Principality of Asturias (OSPA). As a result, this performance was created, which I know was done with much affection and dedication. Enjoy it!

Thank you so much for viewing my blog. It has been wonderful looking through all of this repertoire with every one of you! Cheerio lads!

Brassology Tour

 Hello lads! Today we will be taking a look through some Brassology recordings! Lets start with Sin Filtro for brass ensemble, featuring Marshall Gilkes on trombone and as the composer.

Marshall Gilkes trombone and composition; Brandon Ridenour trumpet, piccolo trumpet; Ethan Bensdorf trumpet, flugelhorn; Tony Kadleck trumpet, piccolo trumpet; Adam Unsworth, horn; Joseph Alessi, trombone; Demondrae Thurman, euphonium; Nick Schwartz, bass trombone; and Marcus Rojas, tuba

This is the 9th and final movement of the composition "Cyclic Journey" by Marshall Gilkes. Brassology, the extraordinary octet brainchild of trumpeter Brandon Ridenour and trombonist Marshall Gilkes, is an octet beyond measure or comparison. Most of their releases are from 2023, but there have been live concert series featuring the artists only a couple months back.

Next lets listen to Can Ya Feel composed by Brandon Ridenour.

Featuring Brandon Ridenour, trumpet, composer; Chris Coletti, trumpet; Michael Rodriguez, trumpet; Eric Reed, horn; Marshall Gilkes, trombone; Tim Albright, trombone; Demondrae Thurman, euphonium; and Carol Jantsch, tuba.

Brassology is a chamber ensemble and recording project formed in 2023 by trumpeter Brandon Ridenour and trombonist Marshall Gilkes to break down barriers between classical and jazz. It brings together top-tier professionals as an octet to perform fresh arrangements and original music, aiming to explore the full potential of brass instruments in a modern, innovative context.

Lastly lets listen to Chris Coletti absolutely shred the piccolo part in Transcendental Etude X.

Featuring Brandon Ridenour, trumpet; Chris Coletti, piccolo, trumpet; Michael Rodriguez, flugelhorn; Eric Reed, horn; Marshall Gilkes, trombone;, composer Tim Albright, trombone; Demondrae Thurman, euphonium; and Carol Jantsch, tuba.

Thanks for listening! Until next time!

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet

 Hello everyone! Today I'd like to look through some of CSO brass quintets repertoire. In 2026 they released their newest album, Apex. Lets begin with their rendition of Suite for Brass Quintet: March by Verne Reynolds.

CSO Brass Quintet with Principal Trumpet Esteban Batallán, horn David Griffin and trumpet John Hagstrom; trombone Michael Mulcahy and Principal Tuba Gene Pokorny.

Recorded in Tokyo’s Kioi Hall, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet presents Apex. Among the tracks are Enrique Crespo’s Suite Americana No. 1, J.S. Bach’s Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major BWV 564 (arr. for brass quintet by F. Mills), the overture from Verdi’s opera Nabucco (arr. for brass quintet by M. Pierobon) and the third movement from Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 3 in F Major, Op. 73 (arr. for brass quintet by D. Sipe).

Next lets listen to a live performance of Ewald 1 by the 1966 CSO brass quintet.

Recorded live in 1966 featuring Adolph Herseth, Vincent Cichowicz, trumpets; Richard Oldberg, horn; Frank Crisafulli, trombone; and Arnold Jacobs, tuba.

Program notes: Ewald’s first quintet was composed ca. 1890. It is cast in three movements. The first movement is the most substantial, composed in sonata form with two clear themes and a development section. The second movement begins with a beautiful Adagio, contrasted by a very aggressive Presto section, finally returning to the Adagio. The effect is a dramatic ABA which combines a slow movement with a scherzo, normally separate movements in large-scale works. The uplifting finale brings the work to a triumphant end.

To finish off lets listen to Chicago Symphony Brass Ensemble perform J. S. Bach's "Sarabande and Minuet".

Performed by Adolph Herseth, Reynold Schilke, trumpet; Hugh Cowden, french horn; Frank Crisafulli, trombone; and Arnold Jacobs, tuba.

Thanks for listening everyone. Stay curious!

British Brass Bands Around the World (Americas)

Hello lads! Welcome back to another brass ensemble blog. Today we will continue travelling the globe by looking at British brass band traditions in the Americas! Lets start by looking at one of USA's most famous brass bands having won the North American Brass Band Association championship in 2025, Fountain City Brass Band.

Fountain City Brass Band performing Z 1920 by Peter Graham for the 2025 NABBA Championship

Program notes: Z 1920 is the second work in a planned trilogy of pieces based upon silent movies from the 1920s (the frst in the trilogy being Metropolis 1927). This second work is inspired by the genre-defning 1920 Douglas Fairbanks silent movie The Mark of Zorro, an adaptation of Johnston McCulley’s 1919 pulp fction novel The Curse of Capistrano.

Brass bands in the British tradition are becoming more popular through the efforts of the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA), which organizes an annual brass band convention and set piece style contest. The US Open Brass Band Championships are held in early November and serves as the countries leading entertainment competition. Brass Band Festivals such as The Great American Brass Festival, Ohio Brass Arts Festival, Gettysburg Brass Band Festival, Dublin Festival of Brass, Mid-Atlantic Brass Festival, and Texas Brass Fest occur throughout the year.

Next lets go up north to hear one of Canadas finest brass bands, Hannaford Street Silver Band.

Nine Daies Wonder by Bramwell Tovey performed by Hannaford St Silver Band with Mark Fewer on violin

There are hopes for growth in the education field of brass bands in Canada, and in particular southern Ontario. In 1999, the professional Hannaford Street Silver Band launched the Hannaford Street Youth Band, which is internationally recognized for its success. In 2005, another youth band was created for beginning brass players known as the Hannaford Junior Band. Beginning in September 2006, the Hannaford organization plans to launch a third, intermediate, band known as the Hannaford Community Youth Band.

Thank you travelling with me throughout the globe in search of British style brass bands. See you all soon!

British Brass Bands Around the World (Europe)

  Hello lads! Welcome back to another brass ensemble blog. Today we will continue looking at British brass band traditions across the world! Lets start todays journey with one of Belgiums most famous brass bands, Brass Band Willebroek.

  

Brassband Willebroek performing Euroflash in the 2022

In Belgium, there are about 30 brass bands. The best known is Brass Band Willebroek, who were crowned European Brass Band Champions in 1993, 2006 and 2007. The average banding level is still rising, as the brass movement was only introduced in Belgium some 30 years ago.

Program notes: Energetic, brass-driven writing for advanced ensembles, this Grade 5 work adapts bold brass-band sonorities to Brass Band forces. Euroflash by Damien Lagger delivers bright fanfare textures, rhythmic momentum, and ensemble passages that spotlight brass sections and percussion alongside demanding wind lines. Ideal for concerts, festivals, or contest programming, the piece offers technical challenges, dynamic contrast, and opportunities for sectional feature and tight ensemble interplay. Published by Editions Marc Reift, this title makes a high-energy showpiece for advanced concert bands seeking a crowd-pleasing, virtuosic addition to their repertoire.

Next lets travel to Germany to hear a different rendition of the brass ensemble called "Posaunenchöre".

Ich steh an deiner Krippen (I stand at your manger) performed by a brass ensemble from the Hamburg-Schleswig-Holstein Brass Ensemble at Christ Church in Rendsburg

A Posaunenchoris a German term for a Protestant brass choir or brass ensemble, consisting of amateur musicians who play brass instruments, including trumpets, trombones, horns, and tubas often affiliated with the church.

Lastly lets travel up north to hear one of Norways finest British style brass bands, Oslofjord Brass!

Oslofjord Brass performing Peter Graham's The Essence of Time in April 2019 at the Oslo Brassfestival

The Norwegian Band Federation is the largest voluntary music organisation in Norway. A network rich in tradition also gives them a strong and influential position in the cultural life of Norway.

I'll see you next time for a journey through the Americas!

British Brass Bands Around the World (Australia & Japan)

 Hello lads! Welcome back to another brass ensemble blog. Today we'll be taking a look at British brass band tradition across the world! Lets start by taking a look at one of Australias premiere brass bands, Sidney City Brass.

Live performance of SIEGE for the Australian National Band Championships in 2023

    This piece was written as a response to the Lindt Cafe siege terrorist attack that happened the15th to the 16th in December of 2014.

    Program notes: The opening section 'Day' captures the abrupt imposition of the sinister siege event upon an otherwise festive Sydney city morning. The response is chaotic and concerned, as Australia tries to interpret the situation unfolding within the building. The siege is seemingly unyielding, with even the frenzied escape of five hostages not easing the tension. 

    

    A crescendo of movement pushes the work into the haunting 'Night' section. The eerie quiet, coupled with the shimmering of Sydney's city lights only heightens the unease both within and beyond the cafe's walls. After more hostages escape, an alarming sense of foreboding surges over Martin Place. Two shotgun blasts from within the building instigates an armed police raid of the cafe. An explosion of 22 shots are fired, and the siege comes to an end. Four people are injured and three (including the perpetrator) are dead. 

   

 The final section 'Elegy' is dedicated to the lives of hostages Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson, who were tragically killed during the siege. Solemn and reflective, 'Elegy' hopes to capture Australia's heartfelt response to the victims of the attack.

Under Represented Composers

 Hello lads! Today I'll be live reacting to the playlist Professor Manning has curated for the class. First I'd like to look at Libby Larsen's Brazen Overture.

Performed by the Stiletto Brass Quintet at the National Trumpet Competition in 2013

Firstly I appreciate the comedic element of each of the brass players walking onto the stage as the tuba plays its first solo. Sometimes gags like this take away from the performance, but I think given the nature of the solo and the audience participating with applause the end result is quite succesful.

The song has a great groove with nice counter melodies and rythms throughout the parts. I also really like giving the trumpets a couple measures break here and there. It goes a long way towards the success of the piece and it looks like every part has some brief moments of break. The piece has solos, duets, some trios, and moments with the full quintet. Writing like this works very well because it features the various timbres in the group and helps the peaks feel more impactful.

Next lets look at Invictus by Anthony Barfield.

Performed by Musicians from The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, The Juilliard School, NewYork Philharmonic, New York City Ballet Orchestra, and the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra

Anthony prefaces the piece saying he wrote it as a representation of current state New York city with Black Lives Matter and COVID in 2020. First note I'll make is I'm pretty sure the audio we are hearing was not recorded live with the outdoor setting of the video. I appreciate the visuals and it makes for a fantastic video but we have to be critical.

The piece was written for 15-piece brass ensemble. It incorporates elements of jazz, classical, hip hop, and gospel music.

Lastly, lets enjoy the Atlantic Brass' recording of Marti Epstien's The Five Chairs.

Recorded by the Atlantic Brass Quintet in 2005 on their album The Five Chairs

I got the chance to perform The Five Chairs last fall with the University of Iowa graduate brass quintet. Listening to the piece now reminds me of the challenges we had to overcome as a group to perform the piece at a high level.

The same rythms are played repeatedly by the first two trumpet parts or the trumpet and horn player a beat apart each time. The makes more tough counting, difficult phrasing, and requires intense focus. The Atlantic Brass Quintet does a great job of making all of the tasks sound easy with their clear fronts of notes and rythmic accuracy. Some of the sustained upper trumpet notes have some sound quality issues, but its incredibly challenging to switch gears from rythmic repetition to long high notes without getting a chance to take the horn of your face.

Hope you all enjoyed this weeks post! Catch you all later🫡