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Tabernash / Live Music: Concert series welcomes back brass quintet

Quintet returns to Grand County for third performance

by Cyndi Palmer
Sky-Hi Daily News
April 25, 2008

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The Denver Brass Quintet

When: 7 p.m. Friday, April 25
Where: Church of Eternal Hills, Tabernash
Cost: $15 for adults, $8 for students
Call / visit: (970) 726-9669, (970) 887-3005, www.grand-countyconcertseries.org.

    A quintet from The Denver Brass Inc. returns for its third classical feature performance for the Grand County Concert Series — tonight in the Fraser Valley.

    The Denver Brass Inc. brings together acclaimed ensembles for a wide variety of performances — a 12-part symphonic brass band called The Denver Brass, the former Aries Brass Quintet, Denver Brass Quintet and Hi Altitude Jazz.

    “Critics everywhere hail these ensembles for exquisite and exhilarating music presented in an intimate and personal matter.” Whatever group is performing, the shows become much more than just concerts, with goosebumps guaranteed every time.

    The Denver Brass Quintet is said to be a “fresh and exciting chamber ensemble” that is also “in the forefront of commissioning new works which embody the spirit of American music.” The repertoire includes everything from jazz and contemporary sounds to Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces.

    Musicians selected for the upcoming special performance include Alan Hood (trumpets), Joseph Martin (trombone), Kathy Aylsworth Brantigan (tuba), Jenny Harvey (French horn), and Cami Kidwell-Dodge (trumpet).

    Founded in 1976, The Denver Brass “5” is the premier recital quintet of The Denver Brass. The group rotates all of its large ensemble players through its recital quintet, so that any five players can go out on tour. The quintet has toured the United States, Western Europe, Russia, and Central and South America and has been recognized internationally for its “elegant approach to brass chamber music performance.” Its sounds have been heard live on National Public Radio and Russian national television, and the quintet has been invited to be a guest of the Moscow
Conservatory of Music and the International Music Festival of San Jose, Costa Rica. Closer to home it has also enjoyed more than 20 years in residence with the St. John’s Cathedral chamber music series in Denver and at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music.

    Each member is a full-time professional musician and educator, teaching at universities in the region and in private studios. They all “enjoy including a teaching component in their schedules, as they are passionate about passing on their knowledge to the next generation of brass performers,” Brantigan said. “Also, it’s a fact that great student-teacher relationships stimulate ideas and new discoveries, resulting in great learning experiences for students and teachers alike.”

    The Denver Brass recital quintet performed for Grand County audiences twice before, for a December concert in 2006 featuring classical works and seasonal favorites and last spring. “The quintet enjoys performing all styles of music, and the audience was extremely receptive to the eclectic programming,” Brantigan said. “Thus, the concert on April 25, 2008 will once again feature a wide variety of styles of music.”

    They are said to be a fresh and exciting ensemble, known for their audience rapport and the GCCS promises the performance will be “an event for the heart, mind and soul.”

    “It’s the goal of all members of The Denver Brass that all performances speak to the mind and the heart, that audience members leave the concert feeling inspired and optimistic about mankind,” Brantigan continued. “Music is a tangible way that man expresses his hope and dreams for the world. Music reveals our inner nature, and it has the power to heal and inspire goodness.”

    “The Quintet's ability to connect with their audience is one of the reasons this group is so popular,” said Joyce Engel, president of the GCCS. “Added to their warmth and humor, they deliver an outstanding musical performance on every level. Friday night's program selections range from Handel's Water Music to Fats Waller. There's something for everyone.”

    The Grand County Concert Series organization, which celebrates its fourth year, is a volunteer-run nonprofit 501(c)3 organization which takes pride in offering outreach programs for students. Concerts start at 7 p.m. and are usually preceded by a free demonstration and workshop open to local students (elementary through high school) starting at 6 p.m. (most of the musicians teach at the University of Denver and time constraints do not allow a workshop before the quintet performance). The GCCS also hosts complimentary receptions at the church after each concert.

    Everyone is invited to become a member, with proceeds helping bring top artists to Grand County to perform, as well as students to those concerts and performing artists into the local schools. Upcoming performers include the Arundo Winds Quintet May 23 (to fulfill the Dec. 7 rain(snow)check), and the Quadre French Horn Quartet July 25. For information on ordering tickets and making donations, visit www.grand-countyconcertseries.org.

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