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Enjoy a splendid evening of brilliant brass by an all-female quintet, spanning music from the classical, romantic and contemporary periods.
Seraph Brass was founded by trumpet soloist Mary Elizabeth Bowden with the mission of elevating and showcasing the excellence of female brass players and highlighting musicians from marginalized groups both in personnel and in programming. Winners of the American Prize in Chamber Music, the group has been praised for their "beautiful sounds" (
American Record Guide), "fine playing" (
Gramophone) and "staggeringly high caliber of performance" (
Textura Magazine). Now in its ninth touring season, Seraph primarily performs as a quintet, with a dynamic roster drawing from America's top brass musicians. The group is currently in residency at the Walton Art Center's Artosphere Festival, alongside the Dover Quartet. Seraph Brass is a Yamaha Performing Group and performs exclusively on Yamaha instruments.
The ensemble has toured around the world, including performances at the Tafalla Brass Week in Spain, Lieksa Brass Week in Finland, the Busan Maru International Music Festival in South Korea, the Forum Cultural Guanajuato in Mexico, the International Women's Brass Conference, the International Trumpet Guild Conference, and a two-week tour across China. 2022–23 performance highlights include Anthony DiLorenzo's
Chimera for brass quintet and orchestra with the Florence Symphony in November, and performances at Chamber Music Raleigh, Chautauqua Institution, University of Toronto, Asheville Chamber Music Series, National Gallery of Art in D.C., Diehn Concert Series in Norfolk, UNC Greensboro, and extensive touring around the United States through Live On Stage.
Seraph performs a diverse body of repertoire, ranging from original transcriptions to newly commissioned works and core classics. The group has commissioned new pieces by Catherine McMichael and Rene Orth; both featured on the Silver Medal Global Music Award-winning debut album
Asteria. The group regularly participates in commissioning consortiums, recently supporting works by Kevin Day, Mischa Zupko and Lillian Yee. In 2023, Seraph will premiere a new wind ensemble arrangement of Anthony DiLorenzo's
Chimera at the 2023 American Trombone Workshop with the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" and later will premiere and perform a new concerto commission from Jennifer Jolley with Texas Tech University. The group will return to Lieksa Brass week in Finland this summer.
For more info about this event, and for group tickets, please contact Michelle Shabtai at
[email protected]
"The high caliber of the playing is often staggering (see the high-energy roller-coaster of a ride that is Dilorenzo's three-and-a-half-minute
Go), and the recording also benefits from democratic representation. The trumpeters naturally form a front line, but
Asteria is a recording where trombone, horn and tuba are as prominently featured; certainly, no small amount of credit for that must go to those responsible for the seven pieces' arrangements. One comes away from the release marveling at the performances and the rich, soaring sound generated by the five musicians."
~Textura Magazine
"High notes, low notes, fast notes, slow notes: Seraph Brass can play them all and with remarkable skill." ~Gale Rose,
Pratt Tribune
"The musical resumes of the members of Seraph Brass were highly impressive and their performing skills reflected as much. As someone who appreciates diversity of musical styles, an evening with Seraph Brass left me feeling richer, both intellectually and emotionally."
~McPherson Sentinel
"Seraph Brass is the next Boston or Canadian Brass." ~President of the Gallup Concert Association
"Walls continue to crumble in the classical music world where women are still under-represented in professional orchestras and all the more so in the principal positions and brass sections. Five visually striking women in formal attire with shining brass instruments playing on a caliber above most of their male counterparts rang a note of victory in my heart." ~Gayle Williams,
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
This program is co-produced with Earthwise of Palo Alto.
Thursday, September 28
7:00–8:30 PM
$45 General Public | $32 Senior | $23 Student (with valid school ID)
Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall (Bldg F)
Drinks and light refreshments will be available for purchase in the Hall
*Free parking is available from the entrance on Fabian Way
Contact: Michelle Shabtai |
[email protected]
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