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Considered by critics to be "the premier exponents of brass chamber music" and "a shining example of contemporary ensemble performance," Presidio Brass will perform in concert, Tuesday, September 22 in Harman Chapel on the campus of Bluefield College.

September 21, 2009

Co-sponsored by Bluefield College and Blue Mountain Performing Arts, the Presidio Brass concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and admission for the event, a part of the Blue Mountain and Bluefield College Performing Arts Series, will be $15 for adults and $10 for students. Season tickets for the entire series also will be available at the door.

The Presidio Brass visit to Bluefield College also will feature a masterclass for instrumental music students. An educational outreach open to the public, the masterclass will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22 in Harman Chapel. Local band directors, instructors and students interested in attending the masterclass should call the Bluefield College Department of Music at 276-326-4234 or 276-326-4248.

The Presidio Brass concert, titled "Fire, Flash and Fantasy," will feature the "Russlan and Ludmilla Overture," "Scheherazade," the "Fantasia Suite," "Adagio," the "Copland Portrait," "Danny Boy," "Stolen Moments, and the "Suite from West Side Story."

Hailing from San Diego, CA, Presidio Brass is a "dynamic force in American brass chamber music." With a unique and exciting repertoire written specifically for the ensemble, Presidio Brass is committed to providing engaging musical programs as well as developing close ties to their audiences.

"Presidio Brass is a shining example of contemporary ensemble performance," said Randy Hoffman of Palomar College, "with their crisp, disciplined playing, engaging demeanor, and ability to simultaneously honor the past and embrace the future."

Members of the ensemble -- trumpeters Ray Nowak and Bill Owens, horn player Mike McCoy, trombonist Sean Reusch, and tuba player Scott Sutherland -- have performed with major symphony orchestras, including the London Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Yonkers Philharmonic, American Chamber Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Mexico City Philharmonic, San Diego Opera, New West Symphony, Burbank Philharmonic, and Long Beach Symphony.

Educated at several of America's finest institutions, including the Juilliard School, Boston Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Southern California, the members of Presidio Brass strive hard to promote musical education and appreciation to the next generation of instrumental musicians through their educational outreach program, "Musicate the Mind."

"It (the educational program) was exciting and enjoyable, not just for the kids in band, but for all the students who heard it," said Steve Acciani, director of bands at South Pointe Middle School. "In fact, three students not in band have now joined, just because they had such a great time listening. The group's professionalism and understanding of their audience made it one of the best experiences we've had with performing groups at the school."

For more information regarding the Presidio Brass concert at 7:30 p.m. on September 22 or the masterclass at 10 a.m. that morning, please e-mail the BC Department of Music at or or the BC Office of Public Relations at .

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