Brass Ensemble of the Berliner Philharmoniker (Ger.)

The Brass Ensemble of the Berliner Philharmoniker is among those Philharmonic chamber groups which have been playing together over the longest period. Their mutual interest in solo music-making is regarded by the members as fully equivalent to their day-to-day orchestral work. The ensemble is distinguished by highly nuanced blowing technique and its preference for German instruments because of their beauty of tone. The standard instrumentation of four trumpets and four trombones is regarded as authentic for the music of the 16th and 17th centuries, which forms a mainstay of the ensemble’s repertoire.

Of course the musicians also employ an array of instruments as called for by the music at hand: ranging from the high B flat trumpet by way of the bass trumpet to the contrabass trombone. On occasion, additional players and other instruments are brought in, such as horns, tuba or percussion. This variety allows for the performance of music from many periods and in many styles – even extending to Beatles adaptations. The ensemble’s extremely successful concert activities take it regularly to numerous European musical capitals and festivals as well on tour to Japan. It also has made numerous studio, radio and television recordings.
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Prime Brass (UK)

Cambridge-based ensemble Prime Brass was formed in 1989 by trumpeter Paul Garner. For its first thirteen years Prime Brass appeared predominantly as a quintet, comprising (since 2001) Michel Sedgwick and Paul Garner (trumpets), Guy Llewellyn (horn), Alex Hewins (trombone) and Christopher Lawrence (tuba). Since 2002, however, the ensemble has developed into a regular 10-piece ensemble, and it is in this formation that Prime Brass currently gives most of its concerts.
As well as regular 10-piece and quintet performances, the ensemble expands for a few concerts each year to perform repertoire for symphonic forces or larger. In particular, the players appreciate the opportunity to perform regularly in Ely Cathedral and the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge. Prime Brass gives an annual recital in King’s Chapel, conducted by the Director of Music at King’s, Stephen Cleobury, with whom the ensemble enjoys a flourishing relationship. These recitals include the addition of the organ, reflecting the ensemble’s exploration of the repertoire for this combination, which has led to performances of works by composers such as Cowell, David, Delerue, Hakim, Koechlin, Langlais, Leitner, Müller-Zürich, Schmidt, Vierne and Wills. Read more...

Fanfare Brass (UK)

Fanfare was formed in November 2002. Between them, the five brass players have a combined total of over 200 years of musical experience! They perform at all kinds of engagements including weddings, garden parties, military functions, race meetings, charity events and other concerts. They tailor their performance on YOU the customer.

Fanfare also like to vary their line-up by using different combinations of instruments. The traditional brass quintet is 2 cornets, horn, trombone and tuba. However, Paul Stamp also plays Flugel Horn beautiful for jazz pieces or a generally warmer sound. Kevin Dickson-Lane loves to razzle dazzle on his post horn, Don Pears on piano, Will Lane on Percussion and Caroline Parker on Vocals. Fanfare loves entertaining.

Sample: Begin the Beguine

Panam' Trombone Quartet (Fr.)

Quatuor PANAM’TROMBONE was created in 1994. It is made up by Emmanuel FLAUM, Stéphane GUIHEUX, Tristan MAUGUIN and Eddie SOUCHOIS. They have conducted recitals, played in orchestras and presented shows. They have also developed pedagogical material that they teach to beginners and advanced students.

They have recorded two CD’s : “Quadrature” en 2000 et “X ans” en 2007. These original pieces of work are highly recommended by the young contemporary French composers such as Long, Thilloy, Rufet, Braye-Weppes….They are also immensely appreciated by the classical composers such as Wood, Piazzola, Debussy…

They won the Ist Price at the “Concours de Musique de Chambre” at Eurorégion 2000

Brass Band Berlin (Germany)

Brass 5 (USA)

Brass 5 plays a variety of programs for all types of events.The "5" offer a vast repertoire from Renaissance, Classical, Dixieland, Jazz, Rock to Country -- they easily have something for everyone, young and old alike! If it's a concert you're looking for, Brass 5 may tailor a program to meet your needs or those of your community.

Almost any place is a potential performance hall for Brass 5. Based in Roanoke, Virginia - the 'Star City' - Brass 5 has been an active part of the Mid-Atlantic arts scene for 22 years. Brass 5 performances have been featured on local public radio programs and broadcast live on National Public Radio. Eager to create exciting music, Brass 5 has been featured in concerts throughout the Mid-Atlantic United States and Europe.

NeosBrass (Netherlands)

NEOS Brass, the Netherlands’ newest brass ensemble, was founded in April 2007 by an enthusiastic group of young brass players. NEOS comes from Greek, and means exactly what NEOS brass is: young, new and passionate. All twenty musicians are graduates or students from Dutch conservatoires, and have wide experience as permanent or freelance musician in professional orchestras like the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the Radio orchestras, The Hague Residence Orchestra, Holland Symfonia, the Nederlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy.Together they have joined forces to promote the unique repertoire for brass ensembles. NEOS Brass has several orchestra strengths (such as an English or German brass ensemble or brass quintet), but it always consists of brass players and percussionists from symphony orchestras (trumpets, horns, trombones, euphonium, bass tuba, kettledrums and percussion). NEOS Brass is coached by outstanding conductors and musicians and aims to illustrate, via various music styles (renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and 20th century), the many and virtuous possibilities of 21th century brass players. Link

Dallas Brass (USA)

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.According to Mr. Levine, "a Dallas Brass concert is intended for the entire family. Our ideal audience has a range in ages from 5 to 95. Our goal is to entertain and enrich by playing great music, while showing our audience how much we enjoy what we do."
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.”

Symphony Pops: A Tribute to Irving Berlin

Puttin' On the Ritz, Blue Skies, Easter Parade and God Bless America are just a few of over 1500 songs written by Irving Berlin - helping lift spirits through two World Wars and the Great Depression. A Tribute to Irving Berlin, including sixteen of Berlin's most well-known songs, creates a dynamic entertaining salute to the genius of this great American songwriter

Listen HERE to the audio.

Clocks

Roger Wood makes spectacular assemblage-sculpture clocks out of junk. Some of the creations are built from dented brass horns and they
are lovely.
The source of his inspiration lies in the hundreds of curiously labelled drawers and boxes brimming with artifacts of all description that line the shelves of his Toronto studio. Wood orchestrates an arrangement from his myriad of treasures until the precise moment that it feels right. Then he quickly glues them all down so they can’t escape.
Link

Australian Army Band Melbourne

It is better to make music than to fight is the slogan of the Brass Quintet of the Australian Army Band Melbourne, a talented five piece ensemble. The line-up of two trumpets, french horn, trombone and tuba displays the versatility of brass instruments which have been prominent since the establishment of military bands. The vast repertoire of the Brass Quintet includes arrangements of early Renaissance, Classical and operatic music along with 20th Century compositions by Malcolm Arnold and Andre Previn. The instrumentation also allows the ensemble to perform other styles of music, such as show tunes by George and Ira Gershwin and even pop music.

The Brazz Brothers (Nor)

In the last few years the Norwegian brass ensemble The Brazz Brothers has entered the European music scene with great success. The audience is "singing their praises" and The Brazz Brothers have gotten overwhelming reviews for their performances and recordings. "The Brazz Brothers set brass instruments in focus in a new and refreshing way"....After years of playing concerts and touring the Scandinavian countries The Brazz Brothers today have visited Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, England, Slovakia, Holland, Canada, USA, Asia and Africa. During the last years, they have given more than 120 concerts a year. Their reputation as great "live" performers makes them a favorite in every festival or concert.All the music that The Brazz Brothers plays is composed or arranged by the members of the group and represent a unique mix of traditional jazz, modern jazz and folk music from different parts of the world. The Scandinavian folk music tradition is strongly represented. All this is presented and performed with instrumental virtuosity and spontaneous humor. Often The Brazz Brothers invite guest stars and partners in their musical projects. Musicians like Lester Bowie (trp.), Yousou N'Dour (voc.), John Surman (sax), Famoudou Don Moye (perc.), Amina Meyers (piano, organ), David Peaston (voc.), Rebecca Storm (voc.), Phil Minton (voc.), Povl Dissing (voc.), Sissel Kyrkjebø (voc.) Hukwe Zawose (afro.) and many others.They also present their own compositions and arrangements in co-operation with other bands like Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy, the Tanzanian band Tatunane ("Afrobrazz"), the Japaneze Shidara drum ensemble, different big-bands, brass-bands and professional Symphony Orchestras and Choirs.

True North Brass (Canada)

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary Season, True North Brass burst onto the scene in 1997, and has since solidified its reputation as one of the world’s finest brass ensembles. True North’s membership includes two outstanding composer/arrangers who create the ensemble’s fresh and unique programming. Proudly Canadian in focus and expression with a truly international outlook, True North Brass has been welcomed not only in Canada, but in China and throughout North America.

True North Brass was featured at the International Brass Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia in March 2000, and performed at the 2008 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Banff, Alberta. They accompanied Prime Minister Jean Chrétien’s 1998 trade mission to China, performing recitals in Beijing and Wuhan and directing masterclasses at the Beijing Conservatory.

The Los Angeles Brass Ensemble (USA)

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.
With an undying desire not only to perform but educate as well, Founder and Music Director Justin Freer has committed the Los Angeles Brass Ensemble to dedicating its energies and expertise to educating musicians in every corner of the world. With its unique and dazzling programming and comprehensive master classes, students of all levels are exposed to the necessary tools and techniques needed to succeed as a musician in today’s continually developing musical climate.

Brandt Brass Ensemble (Russia)

Brandt Brass Ensemble – is a unique Russian musical group that performs as a ten-brass since August, 2003. Ensemble was founded in Saratov (Russia) – a city of great cultural traditions. It is named after V. G. Brandt – an outstanding german trumpeter, who had founded the trumpet classes and symphonic orchestra at the Saratov State Conservatory since the days of its foundation.
Brandt Brass Ensemble gave their first concert “The Brass Fantasy” on the 20th of December, 2003. It had a great response in Saratov’s musical community.
Brandt Brass Ensemble took part in Brass Festival (Lichtenberg, Germany) in June, 2004, organized by Rekkenze Brass and Haus Marteau. Israel composer Boris Pigovat wrote the Jewish Rhapsody “Dedicated to M. Chagall” exclusively for Brandt Brass Ensemble. The first night of this masterpiece was on the final concert of the festival in Bad Steben.
Brandt Brass Ensemble represented Russia on the ITG Conference, June, 2005 in Bangkok (Thailand). Their programme was called “Dreaming under the birch-tree”.
Ensemble is actively working with the composers from many countries. Michael Kheifetz (Saratov, Russia) commissioned “Drunken Song” to Brandt Brass Ensemble, first night was given at the ITG Conference in Bangkok 2005, there they gave another first night of “Tchastushka” by Alexander Gilev (Moscow, Russia).
There are several publications about Brandt Brass Ensemble in the international and Russian mass media. In American ITG Journal: September 2004, October 2005; in English The Brass Herald August 2005, February 2006. In Russia mass media: cultural digest “Footlights” February 2004, November 2005; in information-analitycal edition “The Time” № 13 October 2005; in newspaper Komsomolskaya Truth from the 14th March, 2006.