“The 2019 Brass Festival is a three-day event featuring multiple guest artists, Lamar brass faculty, music students and various sponsors and exhibitors. Each day includes a variety of performances, master classes, clinics and exhibits that are free and open to the public. As the only music event of its kind in Southeast Texas, the festival reaches out to a wide audience, including students, music educators, brass-music enthusiasts and to the general concert-going public,” said Tim Dueppen, assistant professor of trombone in the department. “Now in its fourth year, the Brass Festival’s purpose is to educate, inspire and entertain those in attendance by bringing world-renowned artists into our community to perform alongside our faculty and students.

The festival kicks off on Thurs., Feb. 21, with a 7:30 p.m. concert in Rothwell Recital Hall in the Simmons Music Building. The concert will feature new and innovative pieces performed by various brass quintets, tuba/euphonium ensemble, horn ensemble, trombone choir and trumpet ensemble. Prior to the concert there will be a masterclass by Mollie Pate at 6 p.m. in Rothwell Recital Hall.

On Fri., Feb. 22, our featured concert will take place at a 7:30 p.m. in Rothwell Recital Hall. This will be our annual chamber music showcase, featuring the Cardinal Brass Quintet and Honors Brass Quintets. Prior to the concert there will be a masterclass by Dave Solis at 6 p.m. in the Rothwell Recital Hall.

On Sat., Feb. 23, our Gala concert at 7:30 p.m. in the University Theatre will feature the Lamar University Brass Choir and the Brass Festival Artist Ensemble. The LU Brass Choir will perform works by Stravinsky, Wagner and Dello Joio. The Artist Ensemble will play a variety of showcase solo pieces with each guest, as well as selections from Holst’s famous “Planets.” Tami Goss will serve as the Brass Artist Ensemble conductor.

On Sat., Feb. 23, we will once again feature a series of masterclasses by our festival artists and various demonstrations in our exhibit hall, located in Wiley Rehearsal Hall in the Simmons Music Building from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The public will have the opportunity to try out new instruments and mouthpieces, as well as talk with various brass company experts. 

Admission to all performances is free thanks to a generous grant from the Edaren Foundation. For more information about the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music, please visit www.lamar.edu/music.