Washington Symphonic Brass

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The Washington Symphonic Brass is an American professional modern brass ensemble, and a not-for-profit 501- (c)(3) arts organization. The ensemble performs in the Washington, DC, [1] [2] Maryland, [3] and Northern Virginia areas. The WSB presents live concerts, produces commercial recordings, [4] [5] and educates young brass and percussion musicians. The WSB is the Ensemble-in-Residence at George Mason University and is a collaborative artist with the National Philharmonic Orchestra, the Fairfax Choral Society, and the Amadeus Orchestra.

Contents

History

The Washington Symphonic Brass was founded in 1993 by former National Symphony Orchestra trombonist Milton Stevens and trumpeter/arranger Phil Snedecor. [6] It is incorporated in the state of Maryland. [7]

The ensemble performs custom arrangements written by Phil Snedecor for large brass ensemble and percussion (four trumpets, four horns, four trombones, tuba, timpani, and percussion instruments), [8] and plays both classical and modern symphonic music.

The WSB was presented with a Washington Area Music Award for recording excellence.

In 2012, the WSB's CD, The Edge, featured four of Phil Snedecor's arrangements of the music of Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Copland, and Berlioz.

In 2015, the WSB performed a composition by John Henderson at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle during a visit by Pope Francis. [9]

Discography

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References

  1. "Music Review: Choral Arts Society and Washington Symphonic Brass". Washington Post, November 17, 2009
  2. "Six Great Explorers Honored at the Society’s 125th Anniversary Gala Posted by Andrew Howley of National Geographic Society on June 14, 2013". National Geographic. Archived 2016-09-10 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "The Fifties shine in brass". Baltimore Sun. 2006-10-20. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  4. Carl Schalk (2005). Thine the Amen: Essays on Lutheran Church Music in Honor of Carl Schalk. Kirk House Publishers. pp. 320–. ISBN   978-1-932688-11-5.
  5. "PRAISE TO THE HOLIEST: Hymns from Saint Paul's Parish, Washington, DC - Classics Today". www.classicstoday.com. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  6. ITEA Journal. International Tuba-Euphonium Association. 2006. p. 50.
  7. "Who We Are". Washington Symphonic Brass. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  8. "At Strathmore, Washington Symphonic Brass sound their holiday horns - Washington Post". articles.washingtonpost.com. 2013-04-12. Archived from the original on 2013-04-12. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  9. "Highlights of Pope Francis’ Visit to the United States". The New York Times, Sep 23, 2015. Laurie Goodstein