Copper in the Arts

The Art and History of Brass Musical Instruments

By Donna Dvorak

Through the ages, copper and brass instruments have been used in an assortment of capacities, and are still popular today throughout the world. In the famous Broadway Show The Music Man, its memorable tune "76 Trombones" by Robert Meredith Willson is belted out in a parade with copper and brass musical instruments gleaming like a beautiful sea of copper.

But, what comprises a brass instrument? Anthony Baines, author of European & American Musical Instruments, states that brass instruments are defined as instruments that produce a tone by vibration of the lips as the player blows into a tubular resonator. Also known as labrosones, brass instruments are constructed of brass and other corrosion resistant, easy-to-fabricate copper alloys.

The actual description of brass instruments are dependent on the overtone series first studied and analyzed by the Greek philosopher Pythagoras. A string or vibrating air column in the case of a brass instrument will tend to vibrate at certain frequencies based on the length of the string or tube. The fundamental pitch is the lowest natural note with other possible notes one octave above the fundamental, followed by a perfect fifth, fourth and up. Modern brass instruments usually alter the length of the tubing through valves, including the slide still used by today's trombonists. The Roman Tuba, Lituus and Buccina, and other early brass instruments were made of bronze combined with animal horns, like the Scandinavian lur, and the Roman cornu.

Getzen Brass Instruments: Then and Now

Musical instruments are a long-standing family tradition of the Getzen family that began in 1939 in a converted dairy barn behind their family home in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Three employees concentrated on band instrument repair and they produced their first trombones in 1946. They're now producers of world-class trumpets, cornets, fluegelhorns, and trombones.

"Now, we make approximately 15,000 instruments a year and we send them all over the world," says Brett Getzen, Special Projects Manager and great-grandson of the founder Anthony James Getzen. "Tony originally worked for another band instrument manufacturer but, in 1939, branched out to start his own company. When he began building horns in the late 1940's, he used a copper trim. Copper has also been used for quite a while to create resonant bells. We have two kinds of copper bells - one made here from copper tubing for the bell and the other kind is electroplated. They take a steel mandrel and plate copper onto that until it's thick enough to break away - and then you have a bell blank. When you create a bell for a trumpet you spin it on a lathe to get the tapered look, and the blank looks like a bell that, at that point, isn't the right size - yet. At that time in the production, it can become several things. One example is several different bells on trumpets. The rate of paper to the bell, the size of the throat and flare determines how the horn sounds and plays, so according to what you're trying to achieve, we make these copper blanks into different bells, depending on how we spin them. The largest copper instrument we have is the trumpet bell. We also use copper in our plating and use copper plate as a basecoat before we do a silver plating. We put a thick layer of copper on before we put the silver on because the copper makes the silver more illustrious and provides a distinguished tone, as well."

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Wisemann Brass Ensemble (China)

The Wisemann Brass Ensemble is an exciting new professional brass ensemble based in Beijing, China and is Asia’s first ever independent professional brass ensemble.
The ensemble features the current and former principal brass players of China's professional orchestras such as the China Philharmonic Orchestra, Beijing Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, China Central Opera Orchestra, and China National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra. 
Wisemann offer several ensemble formations to suit all occasions. The quintet consists of 2 trumpets, french horn, trombone, and tuba and has a wide repertoire of music ranging from Jazz and Popular to Classical and Contemporary. The trio consists of trumpet, trombone and tuba and is very well suited to performing Jazz and Latin music as well as popular classical repertoire.
More info HERE

Paul Higgs (UK) new CD Pavane

Celebrated trumpeter and composer Paul Higgs has created many albums throughout his time as
a successful musician, but this is his first to blend the genres of classical and jazz music. Paul
has never felt restricted by musical boundaries and wanted to make “an album that combined the
freedom of jazz with the rich sonorities of classical music”. Pavane presents pieces in song form
in a classical style with an emphasis on melody and counterpoint.
The jazz ensemble featured on the album is complemented by a string section with classical
guitar, and highlighted by the melodious sounds of a cello. Paulʼs trumpet flows throughout with a
voice that is in turn seductive, playful and intriguing. His consummate skill and seemingly
effortless technique produce a sound of unearthly beauty. In Pavane he presents an infinitely
varied world expressed through melody, atmosphere and sensitivity. Each piece shows us a new
soundscape, and the exquisite sound of his trumpet transports us through each one in turn, with
the romantic grandeur of a film score.
“Paul Higgs is one of the most gifted composers and musicians. I'm very proud to see the
success he's currently enjoying.” Bill Ashton OBE, Musical Director, NYJO. As a young man Paul
Higgs was already renowned for his skill, and worked with luminaries such as Peggy Lee, Buddy
Greco, Rosemary Clooney (indeed – George Clooneyʼs aunt) and John Williams. Paul toured with
the much-loved Norman Wisdom and Bob Monkhouse. As a composer, he has written a
commission for the Proms, has had music published by Oxford University Press and Stanza
Music, and has published music himself. He has also written music for film, TV and radio, as well
as theatre.
“Paul Higgs is a world-class composer and trumpet player, and this collection conclusively proves
the point!” Digby Fairweather: BBC presenter (Radio 2 and 3), and jazz trumpeter.

More information about Higgs HERE. His Pavane CD and digital download tracks from that recording are available at online sales sites such as CDbaby, Amazon, iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody and many others.

The Bull Horns (Austria)

No, not the march or folk music. The Bull Horns blowing rock and roll classics. The Bull Horns give the Beatles, AC / DC, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, a new sound as you've never heard it. And it joins jazz superstar James Morrison for four album tracks. The fresh sound is so far away from their important roots in the provinces, such as the electric guitars, sax, trumpet, trombone and tuba. Only the drums are somehow a connection between old school rock and daring, successful transposition of Brass clichés and present to the Brass future.
More HERE

Miraphone Tuba Quartett (France)

''We first met in 1992 at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de PARIS.
Our initial friendship was followed by a mutual passion for music and our pleasure to play together soon led to the creation of  a tuba quartet which was to become 3 years later , at Miraphone's request, the Miraphone Tuba Quartett.
For 16 years now we've been striving to change the image of out instrument throughout the world. During our concerts we aim to ally virtuosity humour and musicality.
With 3 CDs and more than 250 concerts performed in 17 different countries, we celebrate our 15 years of existence with (and we are very proud of this) the four same members.''

• From 9 till 21 December 2013 China and Taiwan tour  
More HERE

Bala Brass (USA)

The award-winning Bala Brass thrills audiences around the globe with their infectious spirit, daring and exciting programming, and exceptional performances. A brass quintet dedicated to furthering the art of brass music performance, Bala was the first group of its kind to be invited to participate in the 2002 Osaka International Chamber Music Festa in Osaka, Japan. The Boston area chamber ensemble was also awarded the bronze medal at the 2001 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, as well as being honored as a finalist in the 2001 Coleman Chamber Music Competition.

In their efforts to promote the brass ensemble genre, Bala enjoys collaborations with a diverse group of composers and artists and actively commissions new works. Recent commissions and world premiers include Robert Bradshaw’s Revealed, Norman Bolter’s Shorelight Breeze, Whitman Brown's Knuckleball, and Jeremy Spindler's As It Went By. Many of these works have been premiered at the International Trumpet Guild Conferences (2006, 2009, 2012) and the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference (2008).

 

Bala is excited to be heading into the studio for their debut CD recording on the Beauport Classical label. This summer Bala will travel to the University of South Carolina’s campus to record a CD of exciting brass music. The CD will include premiere recordings of works by Dana Wilson, Robert Bradshaw, and Laurence Bitensky.

More HERE

Trumpets Not Guns (New Orleans USA)

Our Mission:
To help preserve the culture of traditional jazz and to enrich the lives of children through music, not violence, by providing musical instruments to the youth of the City of New Orleans.

With an array of support from the community, our local jazz artists, and The Grillot Family, we plan to raise money musically, to help get guns out of the hands of our youth and replace them with trumpets and other musical instruments.

Our goal is to help local schools and other music foundations get the instruments that are so badly needed into the hands of our children. Get the guns out, put the trumpets in, and take back our streets one horn at a time.
More info HERE.

Riverside Brass Quintet (UK)

The Riverside Brass Quintet is an experienced brass ensemble who offer a diverse range of genres, suitable for any occasion: whether it be playing at parties or corporate events, to classical wedding music (not to mention a selection of current/jazz tunes) and even an exciting Christmas entertainment package which they run annually from November-December, Riverside Brass Quintet have it covered!

'So, if you’re looking for corporate party ideas, to hire musicians, or just check out one of the latest live bands in London, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We hope you’ll enjoy having a look around!'
The music is HERE.

Westwind Brass (USA)

The Westwind Brass exists to broaden and enrich the musical legacy of local, national and international audiences through performance and educational services featuring brass instruments and music.
The Westwind Brass fields an ensemble of brass musicians who perform in various configurations of musicians featuring the unique timbre of brass instruments and performing the brass repertoire at a high artistic level.
The educational focus of each Westwind Brass performance is that music is for everyone!

Westwind goes to school

Around the World thru Brass (K-6)

This program is a multi-cultural musical journey through selected cultures. These selections include: Music of Africa, Music of Americas, Northern Native Americans, Central and South America; Music of Asia, China, and Music of Europe. The purpose of this program is to expose students to the distinct sounds of the world of music and how these musical characteristics have been incorporated into modern forms. Students will directly participate in various world rhythms, melodies, and styles.
More HERE

Alison Balsom

Alison Balsom has cemented an international reputation as one of classical music's great ambassadors and is ranked among the most distinctive and ground-breaking musicians on the international circuit today. Having headlined The Last Night of the BBC Proms, which reached its biggest ever global television audience of an estimated 200 million, to making her US television debut with the Orchestra of St Luke's on The Late Show with David Letterman, a platform few classical artists have gained access to, Alison’s highly distinctive sound has earned her much recognition and she is regarded as one of the world's leading trumpeters and musicians. She was twice crowned 'Female Artist of the Year' at the Classic BRITs and has also been honoured with numerous awards by Gramophone, Classic FM and ECHO Klassik.

On June 28 this year, she received the prestigious PPL Classical Award at the London Hilton on Park Lane.  

Read more HERE

Alison's website is HERE

The Art of Practicing

The Art of Practicing

Gordon Cherry

Practicing is an art, not a skill. A skill is something you can be taught in a certain number of lessons, while an art is something you learn slowly and gradually over your entire life. Whether you are a sculptor, a painter, a ballerina or a trombonist, you have to apply discipline in order to progress. The art of practicing is something you adhere to for a very, very long time, and you must master it to become a great performer.

Most people look back on the lessons they had with their teachers and find that 99% of the time was spent on the traditional warm ups, etudes, solos and excerpts. You're basically taught how to play the trombone. We haven't really learned how to practice! And yet that's what we spend most of our time doing. We practice. We practice before rehearsals. We practice before concerts. We practice in the studio. The practice time is where you “make your gravy.” It's where you make all your gains. Much of the time students and even professionals waste time or actually destroy themselves in the practice room. Why? Because they are impatient and look for short term gains.
Read the whole article...

Da Capo Brass (USA)

Based in North Carolina, da Capo Brass is a national touring ensemble and Delos recording artist dedicated to delivering quality chamber music to diverse audiences. Performing standard repertoire ranging from Classical to Jazz, Renaissance to Modern, and Pops to Gospel, da Capo Brass also enjoys collaborating with talented composers to create new music for the brass quintet medium. The members of da Capo Brass believe in removing boundaries between the concert performer and audiences, and therefore seek out performance experiences beyond traditional concert halls, with venues including churches, art museums, clubs, and public schools. In addition to their active concert schedule, members of the quintet perform internationally as soloists and in conjunction with professional  organizations in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. They hold teaching positions at various colleges and academies in North Carolina and perform with orchestras across the East Coast.

New Music

In addition to performing standard repertoire, da Capo Brass enjoys collaborating with talented composers to create new music for the brass quintet medium.More info HERE